Residual gastric content after gastric lavage and ipecacuanha-induced emesis in self-poisoned patients: an endoscopic study.
Flexible endoscopy was used to assess the intragastric residue after either ipecacuanha-induced emesis or gastric lavage in 30 self-poisoned patients. Of the 13 patients treated by induced-emesis, five (38.5%) had residual solid in the stomach; 17 patients were treated by gastric washout, and 15 (88.2%) of these had residual intragastric solid. The study provides direct evidence that the gastric decontaminating procedures employed, and especially gastric lavage, do not remove stomach contents completely.
Saetta
J P
JP
Accident & Emergency Department, Leicester Royal Infirmary.
Quinton
D N
DN
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000628:therapy*; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D005751:Gastric Lavage; D005766:Gastrointestinal Contents; D005773:Gastroscopy; D006801:Humans; D007486:Ipecac; D008875:Middle Aged; D013406:Suicide, Attempted; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced*
D007486:Ipecac