Automated gastric lavage and a comparison of 0.9% normal saline solution and tap water irrigant

Gastric lavage is used frequently in the emergency treatment of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage, toxin ingestion, drug overdose, and other cases requiring repetitive gastric irrigation. An effective automatic method of gastric lavage is described and evaluated. The use of tap water versus 0.9% normal saline solution also is compared. There is no difference in prelavage and postlavage blood cell concentrations or electrolyte profile with either irrigant. The advantages of tap water lavage fluid are discussed.