Is it true that you can irrigate with your colostomy. what is irrigation?

Sigmoid, descending: Patients with a colostomy in the sigmoid or descending colon (left sided), may be able to irrigate their ostomy; kind of like an enema, to empty the bowel; can then use a cap. Check with your doc, get trained by the ostomy nurse, if it can work for you.

Yes: Irrigation of the colostomy is much like giving an emema. It stimulates emptying the colon. Occasionally this is a therapeutic intervention for constipation. Some long term colostomy patients use irrigation as a means of controlling when they eliminate into the ostomy bag. After irrigating, it might be several hours before having feces in the bag.