[The value of irrigation]

Abstract

Twenty percent of our patients who have had colostomy use irrigation to regulate the bowels. This decision is made by the patient himself after careful deliberation. By means of an irrigation set the large intestine is irrigated with approximately 1-1.5 l of water at body temperature. Subsequently there is a stool-free period of 24-28 h and a reduction of flatulence. The duration of irrigation is 45-60 min. Side effects are occasionally pressure sensation and mild convulsive symptoms, but there are no significant complications. Irrigation can begin after complete healing of the stoma, but is absolutely contraindicated in inflammatory intestinal diseases and relatively contraindicated in prolapse, hernia, stenosis, and intestinal damage by radiation.