Gastric emptying as assessed by paracetamol absorption is normal 32 h after elective abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery (AAA)

Major potential complications following AAA include 1) MODS, possibly related to GI barrier dysfunction [1] and 2) stress ulcers, seen on gastroscopic examination in as many as 80% of patients [2]. Enteral nutrition may prevent both these complications, especially if given early. However patients are often denied this form of treatment because of concerns of delayed gastric emptying. Instead they are subjected to nasogastric (N/G) decompression, shown to be unnecessary and even harmful [3]. We used the paracetamol absorption test to document the presence of intact or abnormal gastric emptying in the immediate postoperative period.