Gastric Lavage
Gastric lavage is the aspiration of the stomach contents and washing out of the stomach by means of a gastric tube.
Purpose
- For urgent removal of ingested substance in order to decrease systemic absorption
- To empty the stomach before endoscopic procedures
- To diagnose gastric haemorrhage and to arrest haemorrhage. Lavage with tepid water or iced water or normal saline solution may be used to stop bleeding.
- Gastric lavage should not be used unless the patient has ingested a life-threatening amount of the poison and lavage can occur within 60minutes of ingestion.
- Gastric lavage can be continuous or intermittent.
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