Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2026

A Novel Approach for the Administration of Medications and Fluids in Emergency Scenarios and Settings
Published on: November 9, 2016
Hypothermia: an unusual indication for gastric lavage
Peter Adler1, Michael Lynch, Kenneth Katz
1Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
Background:
Previous reports suggest that gastric lavage holds many risks and is not routinely indicated for decontamination of the overdose patient.
Objective:
To present a case of overdose with concurrent accidental hypothermia where gastric decontamination was utilized.
Case Report:
A 50-year-old hypothermic, comatose patient was transported to the Emergency Department with a concurrent, massive medication ingestion diagnosed incidentally on a routine abdominal computed tomography scan. Both active and passive rewarming measures, in conjunction with gastric lavage and retrieval of multiple pill fragments, were performed, and the patient survived to hospital discharge without sequelae. Interestingly, the patient admitted to an intentional ingestion of both labetalol and lorazepam.
Conclusion:
Due to hypothermia-mediated changes in metabolism, including gastric atony and decreased hepatic metabolism, gastric lavage may provide additional benefit in the management of severely hypothermic patients with potentially lethal, massive pill ingestions.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Methods of reducing fever
Pharmacological Methods of Reducing Fever:
Prevention of Further Absorption of Poison
Decreased Body Temperature
Enteral Nutrition I: Orogastric and Nasogastric Feeding
Orogastric (OG) and nasogastric (NG) feeding are two standard methods used for enteral nutrition. Enteral nutrition is often preferred over...
Pyloric Obstruction
Intestinal Obstruction II: Pathophysiology

