Self washout method for defecational complaints following low anterior rectal resection.

A self washout method was performed by ten patients who had defecational complaints following an anterior resection. A commercially available colostomy washout set was used for this procedure. When the patient sat down, the cone tip of the set was pressed into the anal canal by pushing the cone with the palm of the hand. The volume of water for irrigation used was 500 to 1000 ml and the subsequent defecation time was from 20 to 50 minutes. In all cases, the frequent urge to defecate disappeared and after normal defecational function had been recovered, the self washout was able to be discontinued.