The First Week Following Discharge From Hospital

The day after discharge from the hospital, a cleansing rectal enema must be done.
This is repeated every 2 days until C-tube enemas can be started.
Note: If enemas were not previously used, follow whatever bowel cleansing routine was used before insertion of the cecostomy.

Other things that must be done every day for 1 week after being discharged:

• Flush cecostomy tube with 10ml of warm tap-water twice a day
• Take acetaminophen (Tylenol) if feeling pain
• Continue antibiotics until all of it has been taken
• Keep site covered with a small dressing
• Keep the tube taped to the skin
• Wash the site with soap and water, and put polysporin around the site
• Try to keep the stitches wrapped snuggly around the gauze "sausage"
  These strings should be cut after 14 days.

MEALS: Follow a high fiber diet and drink 8 glasses of water daily. This is very important to maintain soft stools. This allows the cecostomy irrigations to completely empty the bowel.

After the 1st Week - Ongoing Care

One week after discharge, cecostomy irrigations can be started.
If cramping, nausea, or vomiting occur during the procedure, please call to discuss a change in protocol

IF THE TUBE COMES OUT, DO NOT PANIC. Simply, very gently put a soft foley catheter into the hole. Then apply tape to keep it in place.
DO NOT INFLATE THE BALLOON, as it may damage the tract.
Call the Interventional Radiology Department and arrange to have the tube reinserted.

If unable to insert the catheter, please call the hospital and have the Interventional Radiology Fellow or Staff paged.

Please call the cecostomy nurse with any questions or concerns.
If unable to reach them in an emergency, call the hospital and have the Interventional Radiology Fellow or Staff paged.