Gastric lavage

By: GROUP 2

Background
Commonly called stomach pumping or Gastric irrigation, is the process of cleaning out the contents of the stomach. It has been used for over 200 years as a means of eliminating poisons from the stomach.

Background
They may also be used before surgery, to clear the contents of the digestive tract before it is opened. Apart from toxicology, gastric lavage (or nasogastric lavage) is sometimes used to confirm levels of bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract.

Background
It may play a role in the evaluation of hematemesis. It can also be used as a cooling technique for hyperthermic patients.

Indications
Used infrequently in modern poisonings and some authorities have suggested that it not be used routinely, if ever, in poisoning situations

Contraindications
Patients have a compromised, unprotected airway. Patients at risk of gastrointestinal hemorrhage or perforation. Poisoning is due to a corrosive substance (T54.), hydrocarbons (T53.), or for poisons that have an effective antidote.

Alternatives
oral administration of activated carbon, a form of carbon with a large surface area for binding poisons, preventing absorption by the gastrointestinal tract.

Complications
risk is aspiration pneumonia, which is more likely to occur if hydrocarbons are ingested or in patients without a protected airway. Laryngospasm Hypoxia

Complications
Bradycardia Epistaxis Hyponatremia

Complications
Hypochloremia Water intoxication, or mechanical injury to the stomach.

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