University Teaching Trust
Patient information leaflet
Bowel washout prior to a
colonoscopy / reversal of
stoma / fistula
Clinical Sciences Building
Stoma Care Team
0161 206 4204
© G16051811W. Design Services, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, All Rights Reserved 2016.
Document for issue as handout. Unique Identifier: SURG 25 (16). Review date: October 2018.
You have been asked to attend the hospital
for a bowel washout.
What is a bowel washout?
A bowel washout is a way
of clearing your large bowel
prior to a procedure such as a
colonoscopy. The bowel washout
has usually been requested by
your consultant and is carried
out by the stoma specialist.
Oesophagus
Stomach
Your loop ileostomy is situated
at the end of your small bowel
before it joins the large bowel.
You have 2 opening in your
stoma.
The food you eat enters your
mouth, passes down into the
oesophagus (food pipe), through
into the stomach, into the small
bowel passing out of your body
through your stoma. This is
known as the functioning end.
You also have a non-functioning
end to your stoma that leads
into your large bowel and
down to your rectum.
As the large bowel is recovering
and not in use, mucus builds up
and needs to be washed out.
Small Bowel
(ilieum)
Anus
Large Bowel
(colon)
Rectum
© G16051811W.
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for issue
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handout.
as handout.
Unique Identifier:
UniqueSURG
Identifier:
25 (16).
SURG
Review
25 (16).
date:
Review
October
date:
2018.
July 2018.
1
What is mucus?
The lining of the bowel
continuously produces a
substance called mucus. This
acts a lubricant for the passage
of faeces. In a normally
functioning bowel, you would
not usually notice this as it is
mixed with the stool.
However, when you have a
stoma, the mucus lies dormant
in the bowel and most of it is
not passed naturally.
So why do I need a
washout?
If the doctor wants to look
inside your large bowel with
a camera, the mucus can stop
the doctor from getting a clear
picture. In some cases the
mucus can prevent the camera
from being passed into the
bowel at all.
Other reasons I may need
a washout?
Will the washout be
painful?
lA build up of mucus in your
bowel may cause you to have
some discomfort in your
stomach / abdomen.
A bowel washout is not a
painful procedure.
lYou may find that you have
the sensation of needing to
go to the toilet from your
bottom and you do so at
regular intervals
lAlternatively, you may get the
sensation of needing to go
to the toilet but are unable
to pass anything. You could
find that you feel you need to
pass something but cannot. A
washout could help with all
of the above.
You may experience some
mild abdominal cramps and it
can sometimes make you feel
nauseous for a short time and
occasionally you may vomit.
If you do experience any pain,
you must let your stoma nurse
know immediately.
The stoma nurse may ask to
you to lie on the bed for a short
time and give you some oxygen
until you feel better.
Therefore it is important that
your large bowel is clear and
the mucus has been washed
away before your have your
colonoscopy.
2
© G16051811W. Design Services, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust,
All Rights Reserved 2016. Document for issue as handout.
Unique Identifier: SURG 25 (16). Review date: October 2018.
3
What is involved in a
bowel washout?
The stoma nurse will begin by
explaining the procedure to
you. You will be asked to put
on a hospital gown and remove
your underwear. You will then
be asked to lie on the bed on
your left hand side with your
knees bent up to your chest if
you are able.
The stoma nurse will pass a
small catheter (tube) into your
bottom and will slowly insert
some saline (salt water) through
the catheter. This will help to
loosen any hard lumps of mucus
in your rectum.
When you feel your rectum is
full you should sit on the toilet
and pass the water and possibly
some hard lumps of mucus from
your bottom. You may have
the urge to push and sometimes
this can be uncomfortable.
You will then be asked to
remove your stoma bag while
sat on the toilet.
4
How long does the
procedure take?
Can I eat and drink before
my washout?
The stoma nurse will pass a
small catheter into the non
functioning end of your
stoma. The stoma nurse will
then slowly insert some saline
through the catheter into your
bowel.
A bowel washout can take from
1-2 hours, sometime slightly
longer until your stoma nurse is
happy your large bowel is clear.
You can go home immediately
after your washout or as soon
as you feel comfortable.
You can eat and drink as normal
before a washout.
After a short time, you will
begin to pass water and hard
lumps of mucus into the toilet
through your bottom.
Is the washout always a
success?
When the stoma nurse has
finished, you may feel you need
to take some time to sit on the
toilet and let any remaining
mucus pass.
When you feel that this has
stopped, you may replace your
stoma bag and get dressed.
This is the end of the bowel
washout and you may go home
when you feel comfortable.
In the next day or two
following the bowel washout,
you may continue to pass lumps
of mucus from your bottom.
Although most of the time
the washout is successful,
occasionally there are times
that a repeat washout is
required or the washout
doesn’t solve your problem.
If you have any further
questions regarding
your procedure, please
do not hesitate to
contact us on:
0161 206 4204
What do I need to bring
into hospital with me?
All you need to bring with you
is a spare stoma bag and the
equipment you need to change
it.
© G16051811W. Design Services, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust,
All Rights Reserved 2016. Document for issue as handout.
Unique Identifier: SURG 25 (16). Review date: October 2018.
5
© G16051811W. Design Services
Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust
All Rights Reserved 2016
This document MUST NOT be photocopied
University Teaching Trust
Information Leaflet Control Policy:
Unique Identifier: SURG 25 (16)
Review Date: October 2018
For further information on this leaflet, it’s references and sources
used, please contact 0161 206 4204.
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Copies of this information are
available in other languages
and formats upon request.
In accordance with the
Equality Act we will make
‘reasonable adjustments’
to enable individuals with
disabilities, to access this
treatment / service.
Email: [email protected]
Salford Royal operates a smoke-free policy.
For advice on stopping smoking contact the Hospital Specialist Stop Smoking Service
on 0161 206 1779
Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust
Stott Lane, Salford,
Manchester,
M6 8HD
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