Impact of Delivery Room Gastric Lavage on Exclusive Breastfeeding Rates Among Neonates Born Through Meconium-Stained Amniotic Fluid: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Delivery-room gastric lavage reduces feeding intolerance and respiratory distress in neonates born through meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF). OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of gastric lavage on exclusive breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact in neonates delivered through MSAF. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. PARTICIPANTS: 110 late preterm and term neonates delivered through MSAF not requiring resuscitation beyond initial steps. METHODS: Participants randomized into gastric lavage (GL) (n=55) and no-GL (n=55) groups. The primary outcome was the rate of exclusive breastfeeding at 72±12 hours of life. Secondary outcomes were time to initiate breastfeeding and establish exclusive breastfeeding, rate of exclusive breastfeeding at discharge, time to initiate skin-to-skin contact and its duration, rates of respiratory distress, feeding intolerance, and the procedure-related complications of gastric lavage monitored by pulse oximetry and videography. RESULTS: Both the groups were similar in baseline characteristics. 49 (89.1%) neonates in GL group could achieve exclusive breast-feeding at 72 hours compared to 48 (87.3%) in no-GL group [RR (95% CI) 1.02 (0.89-1.17); P=0.768]. Initiation of skin-to-skin contact was significantly delayed and the total duration was significantly less in GL group compared to no-GL group. No difference in respi-ratory distress and feeding intolerance was observed. Procedure-related complications included retching, vomiting, and mild desaturation. CONCLUSION: Gastric lavage did not help to establish exclusive breastfeeding, delayed the initiation of skin-to-skin contact in delivery room and reduced its total duration. Moreover, the procedure of gastric lavage was associated with neonatal discomfort.

Análise crítica da indicação da lavagem gástrica em intoxicações atendidas em um hospital de ensino / Critical analysis of gastric lavage indication for poisoning cases attended in a university hospital

Objetivo: Avaliar a indicação da lavagem gástrica no tratamento de intoxicações causadas por ingestão. Métodos: Todos os casos de intoxicação causada por ingestão que foram atendidos em dois hospitais do interior de São Paulo e submetidos à lavagem gástrica no período de 1° de janeiro de 2011 a 31 de dezembro de 2015 foram avaliados retrospectivamente quanto à indicação do procedimento, considerando o tempo entre ingestão e atendimento, a toxicidade da substância e as contraindicações para o procedimento. Resultados: Dos 587 casos atendidos, 338 (57,6%) foram submetidos à lavagem gástrica. Dentre esses casos, constatou-se a realização equivocada do procedimento em 95,8% casos. Conclusão: O número de pacientes submetidos à lavagem gástrica neste trabalho foi considerado elevado, mesmo quando orientado pelo centro de atendimento. Apesar da falta de evidências de que a lavagem gástrica traga benefícios nos casos de intoxicação, ela é largamente utilizada em virtude do desconhecimento das indicações e contraindicações desse procedimento por parte dos profissionais de saúde

Objective: To evaluate the indication of gastric lavage in the treatment of poisoning caused by ingestion. Methods: All cases of poisoning caused by ingestion that were treated in two hospitals in inland cities of São Paulo and subjected to gastric lavage from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2015 were retrospectively assessed as for the indication of the procedure, considering the time between ingestion and care, substance toxicity, and procedure contraindications. Results: Of the 587 cases treated, 338 (57.6%) underwent gastric lavage. The procedure was considered incorrect in 95.8% of cases. Conclusion: The number of patients undergoing gastric lavage in this study was considered high, even when instructed by the center of attendance. Despite the lack of evidence that gastric lavage brings benefits in cases of poisoning, it is widely used due to the lack of knowledge by health professionals of the indications and contraindications of this procedure.

Analysis of Gastric Lavage Reported to a Statewide Poison Control System.

BACKGROUND: As decontamination trends have evolved, gastric lavage (GL) has become a rare procedure. The current information regarding use, outcomes, and complications of GL could help refine indications for this invasive procedure. OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine case type, location, and complications of GL cases reported to a statewide poison control system. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of the California Poison Control System (CPCS) records from 2009 to 2012. Specific substances ingested, results and complications of GL, referring hospital ZIP codes, and outcomes were examined. RESULTS: Nine hundred twenty-three patients who underwent GL were included in the final analysis, ranging in age from 9 months to 88 years. There were 381 single and 540 multiple substance ingestions, with pill fragment return in 27%. Five hundred thirty-six GLs were performed with CPCS recommendation, while 387 were performed without. Complications were reported for 20 cases. There were 5 deaths, all after multiple ingestions. Among survivors, 37% were released from the emergency department, 13% were admitted to hospital wards, and 48% were admitted to intensive care units. The most commonly ingested substances were nontricyclic antidepressant psychotropics (n = 313), benzodiazepines (n = 233), acetaminophen (n = 191), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (n = 107), diphenhydramine (n = 70), tricyclic antidepressants (n = 45), aspirin (n = 45), lithium (n = 36), and antifreeze (n = 10). The geographic distribution was clustered near regions of high population density, with a few exceptions. CONCLUSIONS: Toxic agents for which GL was performed reflected a broad spectrum of potential hazards, some of which are not life-threatening or have effective treatments. Continuing emergency physician and poison center staff education is required to assist in patient selection.

Iatrogenic Perforation of Stomach--A Case Report.

Gastric lavage is a routine procedure done in many cases of poisoning and it has been advocated by many as a lifesaving procedure. There may be some instances, where it might be unnecessary, ineffective or even detrimental to life. A 35 year old man walked into a casualty, 2 hours after having ingested 15 benzodiazepine tablets. Lavage was done by an unqualified person using Ewald's tube, leading to iatrogenic perforation. The unwarranted use of the procedure proved to be fatal.

Effect of gastric lavage on feeding in neonates born through meconium-stained liquor: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of gastric lavage (GL) in neonates born through meconium-stained liquor (MSL). DESIGN: A systematic review of randomised controlled trials by searching databases MEDLINE (from 1966), EMBASE (from1980), CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Google Scholar and proceedings of Pediatric Academic Society meetings (2002-2014). SETTING: Delivery room/Neonatal ward. PATIENTS: Neonates with gestation >34 weeks and birth weight ≥1800 g born through MSL. INTERVENTIONS: Prophylactic GL versus no intervention before first feed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Feeding intolerance, defined as inability to initiate/upgrade feeds due to problems such as retching, vomiting, regurgitation and gastric residuals. RESULTS: A total of six studies (GL: 918, no GL: 966) were included in the review. Meta-analysis using fixed-effects model showed decreased incidence of feed intolerance following GL ((81/918 (8.8%) vs 114/966 (11.8%); risk ratio (RR): 0.71 (95% CI 0.55 to 0.93)). However, the results were not significant when random-effects model was used (RR: 0.78 (95% CI 0.55 to 1.09)). No significant adverse effects of GL were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Routine GL immediately after birth may improve feed tolerance in neonates born through MSL. However, the evidence is limited, with probable small-study bias and high risk of bias in a number of the included studies. Well-designed studies with adequate sample size are essential to confirm these findings.

Position paper update: gastric lavage for gastrointestinal decontamination.

CONTEXT: The first update of the 1997 gastric lavage position paper was published by the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology and the European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists in 2004. This second update summarizes the 2004 content and reviews new data. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature from January 2003 to March 2011 yielded few studies directly addressing the utility of gastric lavage in the treatment of poisoned patients. RESULTS: Sixty-nine new papers were reviewed. Recent publications continue to show that gastric lavage may be associated with serious complications. A few clinical studies have recently been published showing beneficial outcomes, however, all have significant methodological flaws. CONCLUSIONS: At present there is no evidence showing that gastric lavage should be used routinely in the management of poisonings. Further, the evidence supporting gastric lavage as a beneficial treatment in special situations is weak, as is the evidence to exclude benefit in all cases. Gastric lavage should not be performed routinely, if at all, for the treatment of poisoned patients. In the rare instances in which gastric lavage is indicated, it should only be performed by individuals with proper training and expertise.

Alteraciones histológicas asociadas a la preparación mecánica en cirugía colorrectal electiva / Bowel wall alterations associated with mechanical bowel cleansing before elective colonic surgery

Introducción: La preparación mecánica anterograda de colon en cirugía electiva es una práctica común utilizada en distintas operaciones sobre el segmento distal del tubo digestivo. La limpieza intestinal ha demostrado provocar alteraciones fisiológicas significativas y algunos autores han relacionado su uso con una mayor incidencia de complicaciones sépticas, aunque sin demostrar un sustrato anatómico o histológico que avale estas afirmaciones. Objetivo: Demostrar la aparición de alteraciones histológicas asociadas al uso de preparación mecánica anterograda en cirugía colorrectal electiva. Material y método: Durante un periodo de 10 meses se incluyeron en este estudio todos los pacientes sometidos a cirugía electiva de colon. Se excluyeron los pacientes que recibieron radioterapia pre operatoria y quienes recibieron preparación mecánica la semana previa a la cirugía. Los pacientes fueron randomizados en dos grupos: con y sin preparación de colon. Un patólogo evaluó las alteraciones histológicas en mucosa sana en forma ciega. Los datos fueron analizados con el programa Stata 8.0. Resultados: Participaron 34 pacientes en este estudio, de los que se excluyeron 2 por no haber sido resecados, ambos en el grupo que recibió preparación mecánica. El estudio de siete parámetros no demostró alteración significativa en los pacientes que recibieron preparación mecánica anterograda (p > 0,05). Conclusión: En esta serie prospectiva y aleatoria no se encontraron alteraciones histológicas atribuibles al uso de la preparación mecánica anterograda.

Background: Anterograde mechanical bowel cleansing is a common practice in colorectal surgery. However it can produce physiological disturbances and can be associated to a higher frequency of septic complications. Aim: To evaluate the appearance of histological alterations in the colon wall, associated to anterograde bowel cleansing. Material and methods: All patients subjected to elective colon surgery were randomized to a group with and other group without anterograde mechanical bowel cleansing before surgery. Patients subjected to preoperative radiotherapy and those that were subjected to bowel cleansing the week previous to surgery, were excluded. A sample was obtained from normal colon mucosa, far from the lesion that motivated surgery, for pathological study. The pathologist was unaware of the group assignation of patients. Results: Thirty four patients were studied. Eighteen (nine women) were randomized to receive mechanical bowel cleansing, 14 (eight women) did not receive cleansing and two were excluded from the study. No significant pathological bowel wall alterations were detected in the group subjected to mechanical cleansing. Conclusions: No pathological alterations of the bowel wall, attributed to anterograde bowel cleansing, were detected in this group of patients.

Shewanella spp. infection following treatment for upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Shewanella spp. are an uncommon cause of human infection, with exposure to water being the commonest source. We report a patient with a malignancy and upper gastrointestinal bleeding who underwent a gastric lavage followed by an endoscopy as part of her investigations. She subsequently developed Shewanella spp. bacteraemia without any clinical source of infection.

The hazards of gastric lavage for intentional self-poisoning in a resource poor location.

OBJECTIVE: The 10-20% case fatality found with self-poisoning in the developing world differs markedly from the 0.5% found in the West. This may explain in part why the recent movement away from the use of gastric lavage in the West has not been followed in the developing world. After noting probable harm from gastric lavage in Sri Lanka, we performed an observational study to determine how lavage is routinely performed and the frequency of complications. CASE SERIES: Fourteen consecutive gastric lavages were observed in four hospitals. Lavage was given to patients unable or unwilling to undergo forced emesis, regardless of whether they gave consent or the time elapsed since ingestion. It was also given to patients who had taken non-lethal ingestions. The airway was rarely protected in patients with reduced consciousness, large volumes of fluid were given for each cycle (200 to more than 1000 ml), and monitoring was not used. Serious complications likely to be due to the lavage were observed, including cardiac arrest and probable aspiration of fluid. Health care workers perceived lavage as being highly effective and often life-saving; there was peer and relative pressure to perform lavage in self-poisoned patients. CONCLUSIONS: Gastric lavage as performed for highly toxic poisons in a resource-poor location is hazardous. In the absence of evidence for patient benefit from lavage, (and in agreement with some local guidelines), we believe that lavage should be considered for few patients - in those who have recently taken a potentially fatal dose of a poison, and who either give their verbal consent for the procedure or are sedated and intubated. Ideally, a randomized controlled trial should be performed to determine the balance of risks and benefits of safely performed gastric lavage in this patient population.

Charcoal peritonitis causing chronic pelvic pain: a unique complication following bariatric surgery.

Routine pathologic examination of a specimen transformed a common diagnosis of endometriosis into a search for an unusual cause of recurrent pelvic pain. Laparoscopy was suspicious for endometriosis, but instead on microscopic examination a black pigment of unknown origin was present. In a subsequent interview with her gynecologist the 38-year-old patient divulged a previous Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP), followed 8 weeks later by a suicide attempt by overdosing on medication, treated with charcoal gastric lavage. Her tiny gastric pouch was perforated and she developed charcoal peritonitis. If the emergency room physicians had been aware of her recent RYGBP, they may not have performed the lavage, and if the gynecologist had been aware of the history, she may not have been incorrectly diagnosed endometriosis.

Poisoning from aspiration of elemental mercury.

BACKGROUND: Mercury and mercury compounds (inorganic and organic) can cause acute or chronic poisoning. Acute poisonings, especially with inorganic salts, are widely described, but only sparse data are available on intoxication from oral elemental mercury. We report a case of elemental mercury ingestion followed by pulmonary aspiration of the elemental mercury. CASE REPORT: A 49-year-old woman intentionally ingested about 200 mL (2709 g) of elemental mercury and aspirated during gastric lavage. A chest radiograph demonstrated small radiodense droplets in the peripheral parts of both lung fields. Whole blood mercury concentrations were 330 microg/L on day 3, 457 microg/L on day 8, and 174 microg/L on day 17. The mercury concentration in a random urine sample was 231 microg/L on day 17. The patient was treated with oral d-penicillamine on the 25th-32nd day after ingestion. A hair sample taken from near the scalp on day 31 had a mercury concentration of 1.38 microg/g. The patient demonstrated impaired memory and disturbances in verbal-logical thinking. At 6 months, she had improved clinically; her whole blood mercury concentration was 16.4 microg/L and the mercury concentration in a random urine sample was 141 microg/L. CONCLUSIONS: In this case, systemic absorption of elemental mercury, occured after the ingestion of a massive dose of elemental mercury complicated by pulmonary aspiration.

The management of tricyclic antidepressant poisoning : the role of gut decontamination, extracorporeal procedures and fab antibody fragments.

Although there have been descriptive, uncontrolled clinical reports of removal of tablet debris by gastric lavage, there have been no clinical studies that have demonstrated that this has any impact on outcome in patients with tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) poisoning. There is also the possibility that lavage may increase drug absorption by pushing tablets into the small intestine. Furthermore, gastric lavage in patients with TCA poisoning may induce hypoxia and a tachycardia potentially increasing the risk of severe complications such as arrhythmias and convulsions. In view of the paucity of evidence that gastric lavage removes a significant amount of drug and the risk of complications associated with the procedure, the routine use of gastric lavage in the management of patients with TCA poisoning is not appropriate. Volunteer studies have shown generally that activated charcoal is more likely to reduce drug absorption if it is administered within 1 hour of drug ingestion. In the one volunteer study that looked at later administration of activated charcoal, there was a 37% decrease in plasma concentration associated with administration of activated charcoal at 2 hours post-ingestion. There have been no clinical studies that enable an estimate of the effect of activated charcoal administration on outcome in the management of patients with TCA poisoning. Volunteer studies have shown that multiple-dose activated charcoal increases the elimination of therapeutic doses of amitriptyline and nortriptyline, but not of doxepin or imipramine; however, these studies cannot be directly extrapolated to the management of patients with TCA poisoning. There have been no well designed controlled studies that have assessed the impact of multiple-dose activated charcoal in the management of patients with TCA poisoning. Because of the large volume of distribution of TCAs, it would not be expected that their elimination would be significantly increased by multiple-dose activated charcoal.Haemoperfusion, haemodialysis and the combination of these procedures do not result in significant removal of TCAs and are not recommended in the management of patients with TCA poisoning.

Safety issues regarding colonic cleansing for diagnostic and surgical procedures.

There are various methods available to cleanse the colon in preparation for diagnostic and surgical procedures. The popular options are diet and cathartic regimens, gut lavage and phosphate preparations. Each method has its own unique characteristics and safety profile. Diet and cathartic regimens are based on traditional methods of colonoscopy preparation and remain an acceptable and safe alternative for patients unwilling or unable to tolerate other bowel preparations. Gut lavage methods involve ingestion of 2-4L of osmotically balanced solutions containing polyethylene glycol, which have been shown to be safe and effective for colon cleansing, including for special patient populations with cardiac, renal or hepatic dysfunction. Phosphate preparations have also been shown to be safe and effective for colon cleansing and are generally better tolerated than counterpart gut lavage solutions. However, this method has safety concerns for some patients with cardiac, renal and hepatic dysfunctions.