Mendelson's syndrome

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Mendelson's syndrome (men-d'l-sŏnz) n. inhalation of regurgitated stomach contents by an anaesthetized patient, which may result in death from anoxia or cause extensive lung damage or pulmonary oedema with severe bronchospasm. It may be prevented by giving gastric-acid inhibitors (e.g. cimetidine, ranitidine) or sodium citrate before inducing anaesthesia. [ C. L. Mendelson (1913– ), US obstetrician]

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