Gastric suction: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

P Gastric suction is a procedure to empty the contents of your stomach.

T How the Test is Performed
P A tube is inserted through your nose or mouth, down the food pipe (esophagus), and into the stomach. Your throat may be numbed with medicine to reduce irritation and gagging caused by the tube.
P Stomach contents can be removed using suction right away or after spraying water through the tube.

T How to Prepare for the Test
P In an emergency, such as when a person has swallowed poison or is vomiting blood, no preparation is needed for gastric suction.
P If gastric suction is being done for testing, your health care provider may ask you not to eat overnight or to stop taking certain medicines.

T How the Test will Feel
P You may feel a gagging sensation as the tube is passed.

T Why the Test is Performed
P This test may be done to:
- Remove poisons, harmful materials, or excess medicines from the stomach
- Clean the stomach before an upper endoscopy (EGD) if you have been vomiting blood
- Collect stomach acid
- Relieve pressure if you have a blockage in the intestines

T Risks
P Risks may include:
- Breathing in contents from the stomach (this is called aspiration)
- Hole (perforation) in the esophagus
- Tube may be placed into the airway instead of the esophagus
- Minor bleeding

T Alternative Names
P Gastric lavage; Stomach pumping; Nasogastric tube suction; Bowel obstruction - suction

T Images
- Gastric suction

T References
P Benson BE, Hoppu K, Troutman WG, et al. Position paper update: gastric lavage for gastrointestinal decontamination. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2013;51(3):140-146. PMID: 23418938 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23418938.
P Bope ET, Kellerman RD. Physical and chemical injuries. In: Bope ET, Kellerman RD, eds. Conn's Current Therapy 2016. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 21.

T Review Date 9/17/2016
P Updated by: Debra G. Wechter, MD, FACS, general surgery practice specializing in breast cancer, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

