gastric lavage with iced saline also can be an aggressive cooling measure in a medical emergency. Contraindications Lavage is contraindicated when patients have a compromised, unprotected airway and in patients at risk of gastrointestinal hemorrhage or perforation. Relative contraindications include when the poisoning is due to a corrosive substance (strong acids or strong bases) (), hydrocarbons (), or for poisons that have an effective antidote. It is also contraindicated in case of aluminum phosphide poisoning. Complications Many complications have been reported, although it appears serious complications are uncommon. The most dangerous risk is aspiration pneumonia, which is more likely to occur if hydrocarbons are ingested in patients without a protected airway. Other complications include laryngospasm, hypoxia, bradycardia, epistaxis, hyponatremia, hypochloremia, water intoxication, or mechanical injury to the stomach. References External links NIH/Medline Toxicology treatments