What are colostomy irrigations? (The type of irrigation that we are referring to in this article is not ‘rinsing out’ of the pouch after emptying, this is usually referred to as pouch cleansing or rinsing.) Colostomy irrigations are done with stomas that are located in the descending or sigmoid(lower) part of the colon only. The purpose of routine colostomy irrigations is to control the output of the stool. By irrigating(putting water into the stoma-like an enema into the rectum) the stool in the lower part of the colon can be flushed out at the time of the irrigation and there will be no stool output until the next irrigation, usually 48 hours. Irrigations must be done routinely to be beneficial. Usually every other day and usually at the same time, each time that the irrigation is done. For example if irrigation is done at 8am, then it needs to be done every other day sometime between 7am and 10am.. giving about a 3 hour window of time. The best time to irrigate is after breakfast. Once routine irrigations are established, the only time that there is any stool output is when the irrigation is done and the ostomate is ‘stool-free’ between irrigations. Do they need to wear a pouch? Most do. There are smaller ‘security’ pouches available that give the ostomate security in knowing that ‘if’ there is any output, they are protected. However, some people choose to use no pouch after a sufficient amount of time has passed and they are confident that a pouch is no longer necessary. Stoma caps are available for those who desire no pouch at all. The irrigation process takes approximately 30-40 minutes and requires the use of an irrigation sleeve for the stool and water return(results) to flow out of the stomas, down the long sleeve and into the toilet. The sleeve is reusable and can be snapped on a 2 piece system or a belt used to secure it if a 1 piece system is used. Please see a certified ostomy nurse for specific instructions on colostomy irrigation.