Gastric suction is a procedure to empty the contents of your stomach.
Gastric lavage; Stomach pumping; Nasogastric tube suction
A tube is inserted through the nose or mouth, down the food pipe (esophagus), and into the stomach. Sometimes you may be given a numbing medicine to reduce irritation and gagging caused by the tube.
Stomach contents can be removed using suction right away or after spraying water through the tube.
In an emergency, such as when a patient has swallowed poison or is vomiting blood, no preparation is needed for gastric suction.
If gastric suction is being done for testing, your doctor may ask you not to eat overnight or to stop taking certain medications.
You may feel a gagging sensation as the tube is passed.
This test may be done to:
Risks may include:
Greene S, Harris C, Singer J. Gastrointestinal decontamination of the poisoned patient. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2008;24:176-178.
Review Date: 11/1/2010
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