Effect of different infusion regimens on colonic motility and efficacy of colostomy irrigation

The colonic motility response and short-term clinical effectiveness of colonic irrigation was studied in five patients with an end-colostomy, each of whom was studied on up to six occasions, using volumes of 500 and 1500 ml water infused under gravity and over a period of 2.5 and 5 min with a pump. The median baseline colonic luminal pressure was 14 cmH(2)O and rose to 42 cmH(2)O with a 500-ml infusion, and to 74 cmH(2)O with a 1500-ml infusion. Irrigation induced high-pressure (over 200 cmH(2)O) propagated waves which caused the efflux of colonic contents. These were more numerous after a 1500-than a 500-ml infusion (median 4.5 versus 2.0 respectively). There was no difference between the two volumes infused in the incidence of colostomy break-through before subsequent irrigation. Colostomy irrigation with 500-1500 ml water appears to produce intracolonic pressure rises that are safe. These volumes can be infused rapidly under gravity alone.