Table 1 SWOT analysis of gastric ultrasound in clinical practice
Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
Easy and fast to use | Challenging in obese patients |
Feasible and repeatable at bedside | Patient factors limiting feasibility (e.g., abdominal scarring, excessive bowel gas, or specific acute abdominal pathologies) |
Radiation-free | Logistical constraints (e.g., time constraints in emergency settings or limited access to ultrasound equipment) |
Non-invasive and safe | Operator dependency |
Opportunities | Threats |
Preoperative assessment in high-risk patients (e.g., delayed gastric emptying, diabetes, or opioid use) | Variability in operator skill and experience |
Emergency settings (e.g., trauma or critically ill patients requiring rapid gastric content assessment) | Limited awareness or adoption in some clinical environments |
Pediatric patients with uncertain fasting status | Cost for training and equipment |