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Effect of Epilepsy and Antiepileptic Drug Therapy on Gastric Motility and Emptying With Point-Of-Care Gastric Ultrasound

NCT07421661 · Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING · Type: OBSERVATIONAL · Enrollment: 30

Last updated 2026-02-19

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

People with epilepsy often need surgery, but it is not fully known whether their stomachs empty food and liquids at the same rate as people without epilepsy. Some seizure medications, special diets, and nerve changes related to epilepsy may slow digestion, which could increase the risk of stomach contents entering the lungs during anesthesia. The purpose of this study is to find out whether people with epilepsy still have food or liquid in their stomachs before surgery, even after following standard fasting rules. To do this, researchers will use a simple bedside ultrasound scan of the stomach before surgery. The scan takes only a few minutes and does not involve needles, radiation, or pain and will determine what food and/or liquid may be present in the stomach before surgery. About 30 adults with epilepsy scheduled for surgery will take part in this study. The results of this study may help to inform whether or not the surgical fasting guidelines for epilepsy patients need to be modified. This is a prospective, observational study that will take place at University Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre.

Conditions

Interventions

PROCEDURE

Gastric Ultrasound

Patients who provide consent to participate will have one gastric ultrasound performed in the preoperative preparation area. Each ultrasound will will be done in both the supine position and right lateral decubitus (RLD) position. Ultrasound gel will be applied to the patient's abdomen and the ultrasound probe will be placed on the abdomen midline just below the sternum using a curvilinear probe (usually 2-5 MHz). The following imaging and assessment will be performed: Gastric cross-sectional area: It will be assessed both in supine and Right Lateral Decubitus position as a full stomach (presence of solids or thick liquids) can be confirmed in the supine position but accuracy is significantly higher in RLD. Peristalsis: Frequency of contractions will be noted over a full 3-minute period.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute OR Lawson Research Institute of St. Joseph's

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Sujoy Banik · London Health Sciences Centre

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-04-01
Primary Completion
2028-04-01
Completion
2028-04-30

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07421661 on ClinicalTrials.gov