Gastric lavage (/'gæstrɪk 'lævɪdʒ/) is the medical procedure of cleaning out the contents of the stomach. The word "gastric" comes from the Greek word "gaster" meaning stomach, and "lavage" comes from the French verb "laver" meaning to wash. The spelling of "gastric lavage" reflects the pronunciation of the word with the use of the 'g' and 'c' to represent the hard 'g' and 'k' sounds respectively. The phonetic transcription shows the stressed syllables as well as the correct pronunciation of the word.
Gastric lavage, also known as gastric irrigation or stomach pumping, is a medical procedure used to wash out the stomach by introducing fluids through a nasogastric tube. This procedure is typically performed in cases of emergency or overdose where immediate removal of ingested substances from the stomach is necessary.
During gastric lavage, the patient is first sedated to minimize discomfort. Then, a nasogastric tube is inserted through the patient's nostril, down the throat, and into the stomach. Through this tube, a large volume of saline solution or water is infused into the stomach. The liquid is gently agitated and then removed by suction, effectively washing out the contents of the stomach.
Gastric lavage is primarily utilized to remove toxic substances from the stomach that have been recently ingested, such as drugs, chemicals, or poisonous substances. By removing these substances, gastric lavage aims to prevent further absorption into the bloodstream, reducing their potential toxic effects on the body.
However, it is important to note that the efficacy and safety of gastric lavage have been debated in recent years. It is usually only recommended in specific situations and with certain precautions, such as in cases where the ingested substance is potentially life-threatening and cannot be effectively eliminated by other means. Therefore, gastric lavage is typically reserved for critical situations under the guidance of a medical professional.
The term "gastric lavage" is a medical procedure used to clean out the stomach, commonly known as stomach pumping. The etymology of "gastric lavage" can be broken down as follows:
1. Gastric: The word "gastric" comes from the Latin word "gaster" meaning "stomach". It is derived from the Greek word "gastēr", also meaning "stomach".
2. Lavage: The word "lavage" is derived from the Latin verb "lavare", meaning "to wash". It is directly related to the word "lava" in Italian and "laver" in French, both of which mean "to wash".
When combined, "gastric lavage" essentially means "stomach washing" or "washing of the stomach".