What is "lavage"?

Washing out of a body cavity, such as the colon or stomach, with water or a medicated solution.

Gastric lavage involves placing a tube through the mouth (orogastric) or through the nose (nasogastric) into the stomach. Toxicants are removed by flushing saline solutions into the stomach, followed by suction of gastric contents.

Gastric lavage has also been commonly called stomach pumping or gastric irrigation. It is the process of cleaning out the contents of the stomach. Since its first recorded use in early 19th century, it has become one of the most routine means of eliminating poisons from the stomach.

More Info: www.lexico.com

What are your thoughts on this subject?

7 Comments

Fred Zeb Fudpucker

Not always the colon. "A washing, especially of a hollow organ, such as the stomach or lower bowel, with repeated injections of water."

David T Brooks DC

You can lavage the peritoneal cavity or the lungs or an abscess a number of open wounds or cavities

deborahpmercer

David Hovis, Okay, and tell me what else could be done without revealing the answer? This isn't a photographic contest and frankly I would welcome at least the option of having questions without pictures (lower points reward gladly accepted).