Colostomy irrigation is defined as what?

• A. Irrigation or cleansing of the lower, large bowel or colon by introducing water into the stoma to cleanse the bowel
• B. Irrigation of the small intestine
• C. Surgical irrigation of the peritoneal cavity
• D. Draining the fistula tract

Answer: (A)

Colostomy irrigation is the process of cleansing the lower large bowel by introducing water into the stoma to flush stool from the colon. This technique is used mainly with a sigmoid or descending colostomy to help regulate and time bowel emptying, promoting more predictable stool output. It involves instilling warm water into the bowel through the stoma, allowing stool to soften and evacuate before removing the irrigation setup. This definition is specific to the colon and stoma, and does not involve irrigation of the small intestine, surgical irrigation of the peritoneal cavity, or draining a fistula tract.