Contrary to popular belief and accepted guidance, fasting of fluid intake preoperatively may not be necessary. Indeed, unrestricted intake of clear fluids right up until transfer to scheduled ambulatory surgery reduces the rates of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), according to a retrospective study in the European Journal of Anaesthesiology ([Epub Dec 11, 2017]. doi: 10.1097/EJA.0000000000000760).
European guidelines currently encourage the intake of oral fluids up to two hours before