[Prophylaxis against obstetric acid aspiration syndrome in the German Federal Republic in 1997. A review based on results of a federal survey].

A survey of all German hospitals providing obstetric anesthesia was performed in 1997 (n = 1061, recovery rate 82%; comprising about 700,000 deliveries and 115,000 cesareans, resp.) concerning the routine prophylactic measures for acid aspiration syndrome (AAS) in pregnant patients and before obstetric procedures (i.e., prevention of aspiration by positioning, Sellick's manoeuvre, reduction of intragastric volume, or reduction of gastric content acidity). In pregnant patients, any prophylaxis of AAS is performed in 36%. Of the patients expecting delivery in the labour ward, only 7% receive pharmacological AAS treatment. Before scheduled (urgent, non-emergency) cesarean section in general anesthesia, 93% (94%) of patients receive prophylactic treatment, either pharmacological or non-pharmacological. Before regional anesthesia, the corresponding numbers are 52% for both scheduled or urgent CS.