Role of Gastric Lavage in Management of Ingested Poisoning-A Review

The management of the poisoning patient is an emergency procedure. In many of the hospitals the attending physician recommends gastric lavage as the patient is brought in. Gastric lavage is the procedure which is carried out routinely to clean the stomach contents i. e. elimination of the poison which is not being absorbed as well as to prevent reabsorbtion of the same. It should be carried out with great care and precaution to overcome morbidity and mortality. This procedure is carried out in case of ingested poisons ie. the poisoning through oral route. The attending physician should be able to decide whether the patient is fit for the procedure before carrying out the process. This process should be carried out in time, in proper patient and following the precautions for the beneficial effect of the process.