management
Last reviewed 01/2018
The management of acute gastric dilatation is as follows:
- send bloods for determination of haematocrit, electrolytes and urea
- pass a nasogastric tube and drain the stomach
- replace lost fluid by intravenous administration of alternate bottles of 5% dextrose and normal saline - 40 mmol of potassium should be added to each litre
- after 6 hrs check electrolytes and adjust the saline/ dextrose/potassium ratios as required
- be prepared to treat any aspiration pneumonia