الفهرس 
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Abstract
Since early reports of pulmonary aspiration in the obstetrical population, anesthesiologists have been concerned with this rare, serious, and potentially preventable complication. Because this concern has influenced clinical practice significantly, a review of the history and pathophysiology of aspiration pneumonitis is benificial.
General anesthesia may predispose patients to aspiration of gastric contents because of depression of protective reflexes during loss of consciousness. In addition, some patients may be at increased risk of pulmonary aspiration because of retention of gastric contents caused by pain, inadequate starvation, or gastrointestinal pathology resulting in reduced gastric emptying and gastroesophageal reflux.