Transanal irrigation: is it the magic intervention for bowel management in individuals with bowel dysfunction?

Historically, the use of colonic irrigation or transanal irrigation (TAI) has been viewed as an alternative therapy for the treatment of a wide variety of conditions not relating to bowel dysfunction, including nausea, fatigue, depression, headache, anxiety and rheumatism. However, these days it is viewed as an effective treatment in individuals who may present with bowel dysfunction and related symptoms of constipation and faecal incontinence. Such individuals would include people with neuropathic bowel disorders, conditions that affect sphincter control or bowel motility disorders. injury to the rectum, sphincter or bowel, slow transit times, evacuation difficulties or prolapse due to a weak/damaged pelvic floor, and chronic faecal incontinence. TAI may be performed by the person with bowel dysfunction, or by a carer or health professional. An individual's ability to use a device to undertake the procedure will be influenced by a range of factors, which are explored in this article.