A qualitative interpretation of the relevance of colostomy irrigation today

Individuals confronted by life with a permanent colostomy have to cope with an altered biography, uncertainty and the loss of control over defecation which was previously a familiar bodily function. This study uses a phenomenological approach to report on patient evidence of the relevance of colostomy irrigation. Colostomy irrigation involves routine mechanical 'washouts' via the stoma to regulate bowel evacuation at predictable intervals. Interviews were conducted with seven patients who perform colostomy irrigation, all of whom received education on the procedure from a single tertiary referral hospital in Australia. In this paper, thematic analysis of the text was undertaken to reveal the life experiences of patients who share how they regain confidence and coherence in life through performing colostomy irrigation. Th e results underscore the importance of Stomal Therapy Nurses (STNs) being open to the idea of colostomy irrigation being a valid alternative to natural evacuation. STNs should learn and maintain the skills necessary to enable education of suitable persons with a colostomy in the technique.