Pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents is a rare but serious complication of anaesthesia. Fasting prior to surgery to minimise the risk of aspiration has been an accepted necessity of preoperative care for decades. In this podcast, Dr Jonathan Nicholson discusses some of the evidence surrounding modern fasting practices. He will explore some of the newer approaches to preoperative fasting that have been prompted by a focus on Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocols and how to ensure patients who are fasting aren't necessarily starving.