A colostomy is a surgical procedure that creates an opening (stoma) in the abdominal wall for the passage of stool to bypass an obstructed or diseased portion of the colon. Stool drains through the intestinal stoma into a pouch device secured to the skin. Clients with a descending or sigmoid colostomy drain stool that is more formed and similar to a normal bowel movement. Although less common, some clients choose to irrigate their colostomy in order to create a bowel regimen that allows them to wear a smaller pouch or a dressing over the stoma. When irrigated daily, the client gains increased control over the passage of stool. The procedure for bowel irrigation is as follows: Fill the irrigation container with 500-1000 mL of lukewarm water, flush irrigation tubing, and reclamp; hang the container on a hook or intravenous pole (Option 2) Instruct the client to sit on the toilet, place the irrigation sleeve over the stoma, extend the sleeve into the toilet, and place the irrigation container approximately 18-24 inches above the stoma (Option 3) Lubricate cone-tipped irrigator, insert cone and attached catheter gently into the stoma, and hold in place Slowly open the roller clamp, allowing irrigation solution to flow for 5-10 minutes Clamp the tubing if cramping occurs, until it subsides (Option 4) Once the desired amount of solution is instilled, the cone is removed and feces is allowed to drain through the sleeve into the toilet (Option 1) A cone-tip applicator is used to instill the irrigation solution into the stoma. An enema set should never be used to irrigate a colostomy. A cone-tip applicator is specifically made to avoid damage to the sensitive colostomy opening.
A colostomy is a surgical procedure that creates an opening (stoma) in the abdominal wall for the passage of stool to bypass an obstructed or diseased portion of the colon. Stool drains through the intestinal stoma into a pouch device secured to the skin. Clients with a descending or sigmoid colostomy drain stool that is more formed and similar to a normal bowel movement. Although less common, some clients choose to irrigate their colostomy in order to create a bowel regimen that allows them to wear a smaller pouch or a dressing over the stoma. When irrigated daily, the client gains increased control over the passage of stool. The procedure for bowel irrigation is as follows: Fill the irrigation container with 500-1000 mL of lukewarm water, flush irrigation tubing, and reclamp; hang the container on a hook or intravenous pole (Option 2) Instruct the client to sit on the toilet, place the irrigation sleeve over the stoma, extend the sleeve into the toilet, and place the irrigation container approximately 18-24 inches above the stoma (Option 3) Lubricate cone-tipped irrigator, insert cone and attached catheter gently into the stoma, and hold in place Slowly open the roller clamp, allowing irrigation solution to flow for 5-10 minutes Clamp the tubing if cramping occurs, until it subsides (Option 4) Once the desired amount of solution is instilled, the cone is removed and feces is allowed to drain through the sleeve into the toilet (Option 1) A cone-tip applicator is used to instill the irrigation solution into the stoma. An enema set should never be used to irrigate a colostomy. A cone-tip applicator is specifically made to avoid damage to the sensitive colostomy opening.
