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Emergency Medicine310 papers

Gastric retention

Last edited: 4/14/2026

Overview

Gastric retention refers to the delayed emptying of stomach contents, often leading to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, early satiety, and abdominal discomfort. It can result from various underlying conditions including mechanical obstruction, motility disorders, and pharmacological effects.

Diagnosis

  • Clinical Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, early satiety, bloating 12.
  • Diagnostic Tests:
  • - Barium Swallow: To identify mechanical obstruction 12. - Gastric Emptying Scintigraphy: Measures the rate of gastric emptying 12. - Upper GI Endoscopy: Rules out structural abnormalities 12.
  • Grading: Often assessed based on the duration of gastric retention and symptom severity, though standardized grading systems are not universally applied 12.
  • Management

  • First-Line Treatments:
  • - Dietary Modifications: Small, frequent meals, avoiding high-fat foods 12. - Medication Adjustment: Review and adjust medications that may delay gastric emptying (e.g., opioids, anticholinergics) 12.
  • Adjunctive Treatments:
  • - Prokinetic Agents: Metoclopramide or Erythromycin for motility disorders 12. - Endoscopic Interventions: For mechanical causes like strictures or bezoars 12.

    Special Populations

  • Pregnancy: Limited specific data; focus on conservative management and dietary adjustments 12.
  • Pediatrics: Consider underlying causes like congenital anomalies; tailored dietary interventions 12.
  • Elderly: Increased risk of comorbidities affecting gastric motility; multidisciplinary care approach recommended 12.
  • Comorbidities: Conditions like diabetes or neurological disorders may exacerbate symptoms; manage underlying conditions aggressively 12.
  • Key Recommendations

  • Utilize Gastric Emptying Studies to objectively assess gastric retention and guide treatment 12. (Evidence: Moderate)
  • Adjust Medications Contributing to Gastric Retention, particularly opioids and anticholinergics 12. (Evidence: Moderate)
  • Implement Dietary Modifications tailored to individual patient needs, focusing on smaller, more frequent meals 12. (Evidence: Expert opinion)
  • References

    1 Hyman MJ, Singh A, Quallich SA, Skolarus TA, Modi PK. Turnover Among Early Career Advanced Practice Providers in Urology. Urology 2025. link 2 Zalud I. Faculty retention in academic OB/GYN: comprehensive strategies and future directions. Journal of perinatal medicine 2025. link 3 Darbyshire D, Brewster L, Isba R, Body R, Goodwin D. Retaining doctors in emergency medicine: an ethnographic study of emergency departments in England. BMJ open 2024. link 4 Udeh A, Huh D, Young T, Knight O, Woreta F. Disparities in Promotion and Retention Rates Among Underrepresented in Medicine Faculty in U.S. Ophthalmology Departments. American journal of ophthalmology 2024. link 5 Cabo JJS, Koch GE, Tallman JE, Thavaseelan S, Oberle M, Terris M et al.. The Role of Alumni Networks and Career Advising in Early Career Stability of Urologists: Results of a Multi-institutional Study. Urology 2023. link 6 Darbyshire D, Brewster L, Isba R, Body R, Basit U, Goodwin D. Retention of doctors in emergency medicine: a scoping review of the academic literature. Emergency medicine journal : EMJ 2021. link 7 Darbyshire D, Brewster L, Isba R, Body R, Goodwin D. Retention of doctors in emergency medicine: a scoping review protocol. JBI evidence synthesis 2020. link 8 Lin MP, Lall MD, Samuels-Kalow M, Das D, Linden JA, Perman S et al.. Impact of a Women-focused Professional Organization on Academic Retention and Advancement: Perceptions From a Qualitative Study. Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine 2019. link 9 D'Eon MF. Knowledge loss of medical students on first year basic science courses at the University of Saskatchewan. BMC medical education 2006. link 10 . Retained organs. Bulletin of medical ethics 2002. link 11 Arulkumaran S. Factors influencing recruitment and retention of academic staff in South-East Asia. Bailliere's best practice & research. Clinical obstetrics & gynaecology 1999. link 12 Conte SJ, Imershein AW, Magill MK. Rural community and physician perspectives on resource factors affecting physician retention. The Journal of rural health : official journal of the American Rural Health Association and the National Rural Health Care Association 1992. link 13 Mickelsen RL, Hall RC, Chern RT, Myers JR. Evaluation of a simple weight-loss method for determining the permeation of organic liquids through rubber films. American Industrial Hygiene Association journal 1991. link

    Original source

    1. [1]
      Turnover Among Early Career Advanced Practice Providers in Urology.Hyman MJ, Singh A, Quallich SA, Skolarus TA, Modi PK Urology (2025)
    2. [2]
    3. [3]
      Retaining doctors in emergency medicine: an ethnographic study of emergency departments in England.Darbyshire D, Brewster L, Isba R, Body R, Goodwin D BMJ open (2024)
    4. [4]
      Disparities in Promotion and Retention Rates Among Underrepresented in Medicine Faculty in U.S. Ophthalmology Departments.Udeh A, Huh D, Young T, Knight O, Woreta F American journal of ophthalmology (2024)
    5. [5]
      The Role of Alumni Networks and Career Advising in Early Career Stability of Urologists: Results of a Multi-institutional Study.Cabo JJS, Koch GE, Tallman JE, Thavaseelan S, Oberle M, Terris M et al. Urology (2023)
    6. [6]
      Retention of doctors in emergency medicine: a scoping review of the academic literature.Darbyshire D, Brewster L, Isba R, Body R, Basit U, Goodwin D Emergency medicine journal : EMJ (2021)
    7. [7]
      Retention of doctors in emergency medicine: a scoping review protocol.Darbyshire D, Brewster L, Isba R, Body R, Goodwin D JBI evidence synthesis (2020)
    8. [8]
      Impact of a Women-focused Professional Organization on Academic Retention and Advancement: Perceptions From a Qualitative Study.Lin MP, Lall MD, Samuels-Kalow M, Das D, Linden JA, Perman S et al. Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (2019)
    9. [9]
    10. [10]
      Retained organs. Bulletin of medical ethics (2002)
    11. [11]
      Factors influencing recruitment and retention of academic staff in South-East Asia.Arulkumaran S Bailliere's best practice & research. Clinical obstetrics & gynaecology (1999)
    12. [12]
      Rural community and physician perspectives on resource factors affecting physician retention.Conte SJ, Imershein AW, Magill MK The Journal of rural health : official journal of the American Rural Health Association and the National Rural Health Care Association (1992)
    13. [13]
      Evaluation of a simple weight-loss method for determining the permeation of organic liquids through rubber films.Mickelsen RL, Hall RC, Chern RT, Myers JR American Industrial Hygiene Association journal (1991)

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