Gastric lavage, also known as stomach pumping, is a procedure to remove unwanted poisons or drugs from the stomach. A tube is inserted into the stomach to siphon and flush it with water or saline solution. Complications are rare but can occur, such as foreign particles entering the windpipe. The procedure is often avoided unless it is life-threatening.
Gastric lavage is the process by which a tube is used to remove or test stomach contents, and is also often referred to as stomach pumping or irrigation. The purpose of the procedure is most commonly to withdraw unwanted poisons or drugs from the stomach, the latter usually being done in the event of a drug overdose. A gastric lavage is also commonly performed before surgery where stomach contents can complicate surgical procedures.
For a gastric lavage, a rubber tube or hose is inserted into the mouth or nose of a conscious or unconscious patient until it reaches the stomach where the unwanted contents are present. Care must be taken to ensure the tube has not been inserted into the lungs and a pH test is usually performed on the removed contents to ensure this has not been the case. Once the stomach has been siphoned, it is often flushed with water or a saline solution through the same tube to cleanse the stomach lining of any remaining irritants.
If used after poison has been taken, a gastric lavage should usually be given within sixty minutes of the poison being ingested. The procedure is often avoided, especially when the presence of the poison in the stomach is not life threatening. A common example of when gastric lavage is given is when a patient is suffering from alcohol poisoning and there is still alcohol in the stomach.
Complications that result from gastric lavage are rare, but they can lead to stomach injury and more. One of the problems that can occur is when foreign particles enter a patient’s windpipe and cause a condition known as aspiration pneumonia. Very little preparation is required to perform a gastric lavage, especially in an emergency. When surgery is needed for a test, a doctor may ask the patient to avoid food or medications for a period of time before the procedure.
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