Medline ® Abstract for Reference 68

Gastric pH and volume were measured in 87 patients who had received i.v. omeprazole (a new gastric antisecretory agent) 40 mg or placebo 1 or 3 h before surgery. Omeprazole increased the pH of gastric contents in the majority of patients. Administration 1 h before surgery produced greater gastric pH and smaller volume than administration 3 h before surgery. There was a reduction in the number of patients with a pH of less than 2.5 and a volume of 25 ml or more in the treated groups compared with the combined placebo groups. Omeprazole may have a role in prophylaxis against acid aspiration syndrome.