COLONIC IRRIGATION FOR COLOSTOMY - RESULT S OF A FRENCH NATIONAL SURVEY AMONG 795 COLOSTOMY PATIENTS

Colonic irrigation (CI) represents the procedure of choice for patient s with a colostomy. Recent technical advances (irrigation kit) have pr ovided patients with simple, safe and effective material, allowing a n ew expansion of this old concept. A total of 795 colostomates (from as sociation's data base) were assessed by questionnaires. 386 (49%) of t hem used CI : 43.5% of patients operated before 1980 and 50% after 198 0 (p < 005). Two thirds of patients performed Cl every two days, in th e morning, with one liter or less of water, for 45 to 60 minutes. No m orbidity was reported. Some patients (18%) stopped the procedure delib erately, but none due to a complication. Total continence during 48 H was observed in 48.4% of patients, Wearing a classical stomabag after CI must be considered to be a precaution rather than a failure. Howeve r one half of patients wore a simplified material (minibag, obturator, sticking plaster), The vast majority of patients (86%) claimed to be entirely satisfied with CI and 96% wanted to continue the procedure as long as possible.