FAQ Question:
When can I start to irrigate?
FAQ Answer:
Irrigation can commence at any time following surgery, provided:
- the patient has physically recovered sufficiently to learn and manage the procedure
- the patient has sufficient time to consider management options and make an informed decision to be psychologically ready to irrigate
- the stoma is producing a formed stool.
Awareness of irrigation as a potential method of colostomy management can be discussed in a preoperative period. Further information in the form of booklets, videos or successful irrigating volunteers can be introduced according to individual patient needs.
Patients can be taught to irrigate in a postoperative period, provided these criteria are met, however, in the UK many stoma care nurses prefer to wait to teach irrigation until two to three months following surgery, when the technique can be taught in the patient's home, healing has taken place and the patient is likely to have had sufficient time to reach an informed decision. There is no reason why people who have been managing the stoma with conventional appliances for a number of years may not change to irrigation.
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