What is the difference between lavage and gavage?

Answer 1

Lavage/Gavage: The introduction of a tube into the stomach for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

You can use two types of hoses: Salem-sump which is double lumen, plastic and disposable, or rubber/ plastic, disposable sinlge lumen Levin tube.

When you lavage, you administer and siphon back the liquid through the catheter placed in the stomach. (Lavage only lingers then leaves.)

When you gavage you instill - artificially feed through gastric intubation. (Gavage - give, get it!)

Answer 2

Lavage is the process of washing out a cavity, such as the stomach, while gavage is the process of administering liquid substances, like food or medication, through a tube into the stomach. Lavage is usually done for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes, while gavage is typically done for feeding or medication administration.