gastric lavage

medicine

Also known as: stomach pump

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Last updated

June 29, 2026

Quick Summary

Gastric lavage is a medical procedure used to wash out the stomach, often to treat stomach poisoning or other forms of gastric irritation. This involves passing a tube through the nose and into the stomach to introduce fluid for washing.12

Historically, gastric lavage was a significant treatment advancement in the 19th century. The tube used for lavage was also adapted for diagnostic purposes, allowing visualization of the stomach. Gastric fluid analysis, a related procedure, examines stomach secretions for issues like bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract or to test for tuberculosis. Gastroenterology is the medical specialty that deals with the digestive system and its diseases.12

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coma
…that may be treated by gastric lavage (stomach pump) in its early stages; alcohol combined with barbiturates is a common cause of coma in suicide attempts. Large doses of barbiturates alone will also produce coma by suppressing cerebral blood flow, thus causing anoxia. Gastric lavage soon after the drug is…
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…that may be treated by gastric lavage (stomach pump) in its early stages; alcohol combined with barbiturates is a common cause of coma in suicide attempts. Large doses of barbiturates alone will also produce coma by suppressing cerebral blood flow, thus causing anoxia. Gastric lavage soon after the drug is…
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ricin
Ricin toxicity
…hour has passed since ingestion, gastric lavage may be performed to remove the poison from the stomach. Intravenous fluids are administered to prevent dehydration, and activated charcoal may be given to absorb the poison from the gastrointestinal tract. In some cases, poisoned individuals recover.
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…hour has passed since ingestion, gastric lavage may be performed to remove the poison from the stomach. Intravenous fluids are administered to prevent dehydration, and activated charcoal may be given to absorb the poison from the gastrointestinal tract. In some cases, poisoned individuals recover.
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gastroenterology
…century was the use of gastric lavage (washing out of the stomach) to treat stomach poisoning; this became a standard treatment for all forms of gastric irritation, and the long tube used to introduce the lavage fluid was also adapted to view the stomach for diagnostic use. A tube that…
Read More
…century was the use of gastric lavage (washing out of the stomach) to treat stomach poisoning; this became a standard treatment for all forms of gastric irritation, and the long tube used to introduce the lavage fluid was also adapted to view the stomach for diagnostic use. A tube that…
Read More