Lavage Health Dictionary

A method of gastric decontamination used in the treatment of poisoning. It is not used routinely. Lavage involves the passage of a lubricated tube via the mouth and OESOPHAGUS into the stomach. Patients are positioned on their side with the head lower than the feet. A small quantity of ?uid (300 ml) is passed into the stomach and the contents then drained out (by gravity) by lowering the end of the tube. This is repeated until the solution is clear of particulate matter. The procedure should be done only by an experienced health professional.... gastric lavage

Washing out the stomach with water, usually to remove toxins.... lavage, gastric

(BAL) a method of obtaining cellular material from the lungs that is used particularly in the investigation and monitoring of interstitial lung disease and in the investigation of pulmonary infiltrates in immunosuppressed patients. A saline solution is infused into the lung, via a bronchoscope, and immediately removed. Examination of the cells in the lavage fluid may help to identify the cause of interstitial lung disease. The combination of cytological and microbiological examination can lead to a very high rate of diagnostic accuracy in such conditions as *Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia.... bronchoalveolar lavage

the instillation of saline directly into the abdominal cavity and its subsequent aspiration a few minutes later. If the fluid is bloodstained on recovery an intra-abdominal haemorrhage is indicated. This is a useful diagnostic tool in trauma patients.... diagnostic peritoneal lavage