HSS Studies Reveal Gaps in Pre-Surgery Stomach Assessment Amid GLP-1 and Cannabis Use
Event summary
- Two HSS studies presented at the 2026 ESRA Congress highlight challenges in assessing stomach contents before surgery due to GLP-1 medications and cannabis use.
- GLP-1 medications may delay gastric emptying, but extended fasting does not fully eliminate aspiration risk.
- Gastric ultrasound interpretation for cannabis users shows poor interrater reliability among experienced clinicians.
- Researchers call for more individualized approaches and refined guidelines for preoperative stomach assessment.
The big picture
As GLP-1 medications and cannabis use become more prevalent, anesthesiologists face growing challenges in accurately assessing stomach contents before surgery. The studies suggest that current methods may not be sufficient, highlighting the need for more refined tools and individualized approaches to enhance patient safety. The findings come at a time when the healthcare industry is increasingly focused on personalized medicine and the impact of emerging therapies on surgical outcomes.
What we're watching
- Guideline Refinement
- How updated gastric ultrasound criteria will improve consistency in preoperative assessments for cannabis users.
- Risk Mitigation
- Whether extended fasting times can sufficiently reduce aspiration risk in patients taking GLP-1 medications.
- Individualized Care
- The pace at which personalized preoperative protocols are adopted to address evolving patient medication profiles.
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