| Abstract | | Gastric lavage is often used in treatment of poisoned patients. It should be done as quickly as possible after ingesting poison, which means that gastric lavage is an urgent intervention. Equipment is not complicated, so every hospital and doctor's office should have it. If the patient is able to co-operate, we explain him the procedure and prepare him physically. We prepare equipment, ask the patient to sit down and to swallow the tube. We ensure that the tube is in the stomach. We instill (via a funnel) 200-300 ml of tepid water and let the water enter the stomach (the funnel mustn't get empty). We lavage until the returning fluid is clear. The effect of lavage might be improved with the application of activated charcoal and cathartic (Na-sulfas). Gastric lavage is contraindicated when a caustic corrosive detergent or oil-derivatives have been ingested or in case of convulsions. Complications of lavage might be: aspiration, perforation of stomach, bleeding and strong vagal stimulation. Lavage of unconscious patients is more pretentious and should be performed in institution, where all the necessary equipment for resuscitation and intubation is available. If the patient's reflexes are still perceivable, the lavage is made in stomach position. Patient in coma must be intubated and put to the left lateral position.
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