Steps To Irrigate Your Colostomy

After undergoing colostomy surgery, you may think of controlling your bowel movements as a story of the past. However, you can irrigate your colostomy to regain significant control over when to empty your bowels. You can irrigate your colostomy by flushing it with warm water every day or every other day. Equipment you will need to irrigate your colostomy may include an irrigation kit, water-soluble lubricant, and a hook. You can get specific instructions from an ostomy care nurse to learn the proper way to irrigate your colostomy.

In this article, we will discuss the steps involved in colostomy irrigation.

Filling the bag

First, you have to close the tubing attached to the irrigation bag. Then, fill the bag with one quart of water. Make sure that water is lukewarm. Avoid using cold water as it can result in cramping.

After filling the bag, hang it on the hook above the toilet. It is ideal to keep the bottom of the bag at your shoulder level when sitting. Hold the tubing and open the clamp slightly to run some water. It will remove air from the tubing. Once you see water coming out, close the clamp.

Putting on the sleeve

Remove the ostomy pouch or cap from your stoma. Clean the peristomal skin with warm water and pat it dry using a piece of a soft cloth. Now, sit on or next to the toilet. Place the round opening of the sleeve around the stoma and press on the adhesive. It will attach the sleeve to the peristomal skin. You can also connect the mounting ring and secure it using the belt. Now, put the other end of the sleeve over the toilet.

Inserting the cone

Attach the cone to the end of the tubing and apply a small amount of lubricant to the tip of the cone. Put the cone into the stoma and press it a bit. Hold the cone in place and open the clamp on the tubing slightly to allow water to flow slowly into the stoma. Let the water flow for five to ten minutes, and then close the clamp.

Removing the cone and clamping the sleeve

Keep the cone in place for 60 seconds and then remove it. Seal the top of the sleeve. The instilled water will promote bowel movement, making stool and water flow out of the stoma. Allow wastes to flow through the sleeve. It will take 15 to 20 minutes. After that, you can clamp the sleeve and get up. Clean the peristomal skin and cover your stoma with an ostomy pouch or a stoma cap.

Cleaning the cone and the sleeve

Rinse and clean both the cone and sleeve with water. You can also mix one part white vinegar with three parts lukewarm water. Pouring it into the sleeve will promote a better cleaning of your sleeve. Close the sleeve from one end to contain water in it. Shake it until the interior of the sleeve is clean. Hang it to let it dry.