Prospective Evaluation of Gastric Emptying in the Self-Poisoned Patient

This study assessed the effect of gastric emptying (GE) & activated charcoal on the clinical outcome for acutely self-poisoned patients. The authors conclude that GE is unnecessary for selected asymptomatic overdose patients, & has limited clinical benefit in the routine management of symptomatic patients. They also assert the benefit of charcoal administration for asymptomatic oversdose patients is unproven. (VM)