A multipurpose overtube for diagnostic and therapeutic flexible fiberoptic endoscopy.

A newly devised overtube for diagnostic and interventional endoscopy has been used in 140 cases. In 60 cases of acute gastrointestinal bleeding, adequate gastric lavage was completed in 14.1 +/- 1.3 min, using an average of 7.5 +/- 0.69 liters; the volume of fluid recovered was 103.9 +/- 0.58% of the volume infused. This tube also allows simultaneous gastric lavage and esophageal or gastric tamponade, enabling therapeutic intervention with sclerotherapy or bipolar coagulation in the patient with acute massive bleeding. This device can be employed for the removal of bezoars, foreign bodies, and multiple polyps.