The method of colostomy irrigation is to instill water through the stoma, which can be mixed with the feces and stimulates the bowel to expel stool. Irrigating a colostomy allows you increased control over the timing of your bowel movements. Daily irrigation can develop the the regular bowel habis as normal people without wear a colostomy bag.

Supplies Preparation

• Water collection bag, lavage head, one-piece close-ended pouch (outgoing bag), lubricant, gloves, plastic drainage bag, clip.

Irrigation Steps

1. Turn off the flow controller on the tubing attached to the bag, to make sure it is closed.
2. Pour warm water (about 38 ℃) into the water collection bag as required, and hang it on the rack with the bottom of the bag as high as the shoulder.
3. Apply lubricant to the irrigation head and turn on the controller to remove air from the tube.
4. Dip your index finger in lubricant and massage around the stoma to facilitate the insertion of the lavage head. Insert the lavage head into the stoma, and fix the head with light pressure.
5. Attach the drainage plastic bag for enema to the lavage head
6. Slowly turn on the flow controller and adjust the controller based on how fast the water level fall in the collection bag or according to the patient's sensation, and slow down the flow rate in case of a sense of fullness.
7. After the irrigation, the irrigation head should not be pulled out immediately. Wait about 2-3 minutes, and remove the irrigation head.
8. It takes 40 to 60 minutes for the stool to be completely removed. During this period, you may read newspapers, listen to the radio and so on.
9. After lavage, a one-piece close-ended pouch can be used to collect the residual excreta after lavage or in case of diarrhea or going out, to increase safety. When there is no excreta after lavage, gauze can be used to cover it.

Precautions

1. Try to do it at a fixed time every day, with duodenal colon reflex usually 1 hour after a meal is the ideal time because of gastrocolic reflex which is a physiological reflex that controls the motility, or peristalsis, of the gastrointestinal tract following a meal
2. If severe abdominal cramps occur during the enema or if warm water cannot infuse properly, please take a short break for a few minutes and observe the discomfort. When it is improved, pour in water at a slow speed. If it fails to improve, stop the irrigation and observe whether the symptoms improve .
3. Do not lavage during diarrhea. Observe until the diarrhea stops.

For any questions, please feel free to contact us. Colorectal and anal surgery consultation telephone:

• Colorectal surgery treatment room (04)22052121 ext. 16356
• Specialized nurse : 0975-680760, 0975-680767, 0963-620251

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