Between 750,000 to 1 million people in the U.S. have medical stoma. A stomata, or ostomy, is a surgical opening in the abdomen (usually the bowels) designed to allow for easy waste passage when the conventional route isn’t workable.
Stoma can be life saving interventions. But, they can also cause physical complications and psychological discomfort–both of which can negatively affect a person’s quality of life.
Ostomy irrigation is a hygiene practice that significantly improves many ostomates’ day to day life.
It isn’t a mandatory cleanliness practice. Instead, irrigation is an optional cleaning method offering multifaceted, intersecting benefits. Emotional well-being, infection risk reduction, and a greater sense of care can result from comfortable OI.
A study published in Journal of Visceral Surgery found regular ostomy irrigation improves most ostomates’ quality of life. People who irrigated their colostomies multiple times per week (after a tutorial) reported a Stoma-QOL score 10.1 points higher—on average—than non-irrigating ostomates.
If you have a colostomy, ostomy irrigation might just make your day. In this smart guide, discover exactly what you need to get started.
What Is Ostomy Irrigation?
“Colostomy irrigation is a way to remove stool without wearing a colostomy bag all the time… [Irrigation] uses the stoma to wash out the colon with water (like an enema).”
—Cleveland Clinic
Fundamentally, ostomy irrigation (OI) is a method of regulating bowel movements and clearing fecal waste from the colon, for those with colostomies. Ileostomies cannot be irrigated.
Irrigation pushes warm water through with a syringe-like system, to flush the stoma. The stream of water triggers peristalsis, a wave of digestive muscle contractions and releases. Thus, stool moves on and out both due to the direct pressure of the water, and the autonomic process.
What Tools Are Most Useful For Colostomy Irrigation?
Colostomy irrigation supplies usually come in kits or sets. When combined together, the parts contribute to system that manually powers a warm, effective cleanse. Common tools and parts include:
- Irrigator bag
- Stoma cone
- Irrigator sleeve
- Ostomy belt (optional)
- Water-soluble lubricant (optional)
- Water
- New pouch / stoma cap.
- Regulator clamp
- Irrigation tubing
- Connectors
- Bulb syringe or pump
Understanding the purpose of each component empowers you to choose the best variant of the piece for you.
Types of Ostomy Irrigation Products (Overview)
Ostomy irrigation systems are designed to gently push water or saline through your colon via the stoma opening, fill your colon, then let the water flow back out into a toilet at a comfortable pace—carrying stool and bowel debris out with it.
Most systems use either the pull of gravity or the pressurizing force of a bulb syringe to get water moving into your colon. The water is warm (but not too hot!) letting it loosen or dissolve uncomfortable stools readily.
If ostomy Irrigation interests you, look into all-in-one kits, accessories, and well-fitted sleeves.
Ostomy Irrigation Accessories
Stoma irrigation accessories let you mix and match device components to create the best system for your bowels.
The Coloplast Stoma Cone is soft and flexible yet maintains its shape with confidence. It’s a good choice for enhanced stability.
The Visi-Flow Irrigation Adapter Faceplate works somewhat like a skin barrier. The clear polymer plate with multiple flange size options keeps irrigation sleeves comfortable and secure.
Hub joints like the Dale ACE 485 Connector with EnFit Technology simultaneously connect and protect, keeping gastric splash-back and external contaminats at bay.
Ostomy Irrigation Kits & Sets
The best ostomy irrigation kits and sets include all necessary components and support a range of sizes.
The Hollister Cone Irrigator Kit is made of non-stick, easy-to-clean polyethylene, free of allergens or irritants. It includes an irrigation bag, a stoma cone, a pouch clamp, and a cleaning brush.
The Coloplast Economy Version Irrigation Set is compatible with both 1-piece and 2-piece ostomy bag systems. It also incorporates user-friendly features like bold print, a large opening to make pouring water into the bag easier, and an integrated thermometer for precise water heating.
The SenSura or Assura Deluxe Version Irrigation Set offers tech-forward features like a one-piece faceplate, a precise thermometer built into the waterbag, a green “ready” light, and a paddle-wheel regulator to pace the water’s flow.
Ostomy Irrigation Sleeves
Stoma irrigation sleeves are designed to be adaptable. They should be comfortable against your skin and allow secure cone attachment during the initial, filling phase. Then, a sleeve will ideally be equally comfortable, skin-safe, and leak-proof while draining.
The Visi-Flow Irrigation Sleeve is lightweight and transparent, simplifying the job.
Options like the Hollister Irrigation Sleeve With Belt Tabs are both reusable and come with several immediately useful features, including odor-blocking barrier films and a curved, easy to use pouch clamp.
Medical Monks: Quality Ostomy Care Supplies And Accessories
Shop our curated series of ostomy irrigation and care tools today.
The MEDICAL MONKS STAFF brings to the table decades of combined knowledge and experience in the medical products industry.
Edited for content by JORDAN GAYSO.
