Colostomy Irrigation

With a colostomy in the lower part of your large intestine, you can schedule your bowel movements through a procedure known as colostomy irrigation. This procedure involves putting water in your colon through the stoma. Like anything else, a person needs time and practice to adapt to a bowel movement routine controlled through colostomy irrigation. The benefits of colostomy irrigation include:

• Great comfort
• Freedom of movement
• Little to no gas
• No odor
• No diarrhea
• No constipation
• No skin irritation

Colostomy irrigation allows you to wear a small cap over the stoma instead of an ostomy pouch. Irrigation is the right option only when you have a descending or sigmoid colostomy. It is best to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions.

General guidelines

You may need to get a few specific instructions from your healthcare provider or ostomy care nurse before setting an irrigation schedule.

You are going to have to irrigate your colostomy every day at the same time. The procedure may take 45 minutes to one hour. You will need to avoid this procedure when you have diarrhea, or when you are not feeling well. It is best to drink six to eight glasses of water every day.

Gathering equipment

You may want to purchase a special irrigation kit. This kit will include:

• The irrigation bag
• Irrigation sleeve
• Irrigation belt
• Water-soluble lubricant

Preparing the bag

Here is how to prepare the bag.

• First, you will need to make sure that the gauge on the irrigation bag is turned off.
• Then, fill the bag with water. Hang the bag near the toilet. Make sure that the bag is at shoulder height when you sit.
• The water you use shouldn’t be too hot or too cold. Lukewarm water will work best.
• Sit on a chair next to the toilet.

Setting up the sleeve

Here is how you can set up the sleeve.

• Remove the stoma cap or colostomy pouch and attach the irrigation sleeve.
• Make sure that the stoma is in the center of the rink of the irrigation sleeve. You will need to fasten the belt if you are using a kit with a belt.
• Place the other end of the sleeve inside the toilet. To avoid splashing, keep it at the level of water in the toilet.
• Run water in the tubing to remove air from it.

Inserting the cone

Here is how to insert the cone into the stoma.

• Apply lubricant on the tip of the cone.
• Put the cone into the stoma.
• Open the gauge to let the water run into your bowel through the cone.
• Stop or slow the water when you feel discomfort.
• Apply a bit of pressure on the cone to keep it in the stoma.
• Remove the cone from the stoma once the irrigation bag is empty.
• Sit on the chair for 20-25 minutes until stool and water stop draining from your stoma.
• Wash the inside of the irrigation sleeve with water. Clamp and fold it. You should be able to leave the toilet now.

You can discuss this entire procedure with your healthcare provider or ostomy care nurse.