Colostomy irrigation: Retraining continence and regaining confidence

People who have an abdominal stoma become incontinent following their stoma surgery. However, a colostomy which is anatomically fashioned within a specific region of the colon may sanction faecal continence retraining. The procedure which offers this option is known as colostomy irrigation. The expert support and education of the patient's stomal therapy nurse (STN) is paramount in order to succeed. Colostomy irrigation offers benefits such as: a timely and convenient evacuation of stool from the colon; the possibility of not having to wear a colostomy pouch; a potential decrease in the volume of gas passed through the colostomy; improved peristomal skin; earlier rehabilitation; assimilation back into society but, most significantly, the regaining of confidence and self-esteem. The downside may be the sharing of one toilet with others and the time that it takes, which is between 45 and 60 minutes to perform the procedure. The most significant aspect of colostomy irrigation is its awareness, support and promotion within the ostomy domain. STNs around the world, who offer this simple-to-learn and execute methodology, are at the forefront of assisting people, who have a colostomy, and who are suitable to learn colostomy irrigation. Unfortunately, not all people who are suitable to irrigate are offered this procedure as an alternative to wearing an external colostomy pouch. This paper aims to offer quality-of-life awareness to practitioners, globally. Its main objective is the promotion of colostomy irrigation as an integral part of the pre- and postoperative educational journey for our patients who meet the criteria. It furthermore explores the possibility of re-establishing colostomy irrigation as a worldwide educational tool which will uphold it as a standardised lifestyle option. Therefore, by retraining continence, our suitable colostomy patients may regain their confidence.