Indications for gastric lavage:
(1) significant ingestion of a toxin less than 60 minutes prior to the procedure
(2) evidence of a large, life-threatening quantity of pills or tablets remaining within the stomach, especially if sustained-release preparations
Contraindications (absolute and relative) to gastric lavage:
(1) unprotected airway
(2) risk of gastric perforation
(3) risk of esophagogastric bleeding
(4) ingestion of hydrocarbon
(5) ingestion of a strong alkali or acid
(6) lack of personnel experienced in the method
(7) lack of patient consent
Complications:
(1) aspiration pneumonia
(2) perforation
(3) bleeding
(4) laryngospasm
(5) hypoxemia
(6) sinus bradycardia
(7) hypothermia if chilled liquids are used for the lavage
(8) hyponatremia if large volumes of pure water are used in small children
Lavage is almost always followed by some other form of gut detoxification, such as instillation of activated charcoal or whole bowel irrigation.
