Background:

the implementation of preoperative fasting has been a worldwide concern of the various health professionals, with a different role, with regard to the guidelines in force in each of the institutions.

Objectives:

to know the scientific evidence on the current guidelines on the application of preoperative fasting in clients undergoing elective surgery, published in the last five years.

Methodology:

an integrative literature review study using the SciELO, PubMed, Academic Search Complete, CINAHL, MedicLatina and MEDLINE databases, using the keywords "fasting", "preoperative care", "patients" and "nursing".

Results:

ten articles were analyzed and the data were organized into three macro categories: guidance on preoperative fasting; gains inherent in the implementation of the current guidelines; and factors that hinder the implementation of current guidelines on preoperative fasting.

Conclusion:

the various organizations that deal with this theme have already shown guiding guidelines. However, health institutions do not always implement these guidelines. The nurse must make the client aware of this preoperative procedure, as well as be an agent of change in complying with this procedure.