gastric lavage

plural gastric lavages

1. medicineA procedure consisting of diluting then emptying the contents of the stomach with a tube via the nose or mouth, most commonly performed following an overdose or poison ingestion, or in preparation for surgery.

   Others have used a multitherapy approach, including gastric lavage with acetylcysteine and nystatin, as well as oral papain and promotility therapy with metoclopramide.

   2002, Anthony J. DiMarino, Stanley B. Benjamin, Gastrointestinal disease: an endoscopic approach, page 558

   1 more example

   If poison has been swallowed (a) if he is conscious and the pharyngeal reflex is present, the fauces are stimulated with the finger or he is given salt water to drink (one dessertful of salt to a tumbler of water) to stimulate vomiting; (b) if he is unconscious, gastric lavage is performed; special care is required with old people, young children, people who have had abdominal operations, people who have swallowed a corrosive poison - strong acid or alkali.

   1970, John Gibson, Modern medicine for nurses, page 274

   Synonyms: gastrolavage, stomach pump, gastric irrigation, gastric suction