Citation

Ardagh M, Balasingam A. N. Zeal. Med. J. 1996; 109(1035): 462-463.

Affiliation

Christchurch School of Medicine.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, New Zealand Medical Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

9006625

Abstract

AIM: To examine changes in the choice of gastrointestinal decontamination for deliberate self poisoning in Christchurch. METHOD: A review of adult deliberate self poisoning cases for 9 months from July 1 1995 to March 31 1996 and a comparison with previously published figures from 1989 and 1992. RESULTS: Only 5% of patients received gastric lavage (compared with 26% in 1992 and 78% in 1989) and 52% received activated charcoal (compared with 46% in 1992 and 0.4% in 1989). No patients received syrup of ipecacuanha (compared with 1% in 1992 and 25% in 1989) and 43% had no gastrointestinal decontamination at all. CONCLUSION: The trend towards the use of activated charcoal and away from gastric lavage is consistent with sentiments expressed in the literature.

Language: en