The process of manually removing stool with your fingers, often called manual disimpaction, involves specific techniques to break up and extract hardened fecal matter from the rectum.
Steps for Manual Stool Removal
Here's how to perform manual stool removal using your fingers, based on the provided reference:
- Positioning: Get into a comfortable position, often squatting or lying on your side.
- Lubrication: Apply a generous amount of lubricant, such as petroleum jelly or a water-based lubricant, to your gloved finger. This will help minimize discomfort and ease the process.
- Initial Entry: Gently insert your lubricated finger into the rectum.
- Breaking Up the Stool:
- Use a side-to-side scissor motion with your finger to break up the hard stool. This involves moving your finger back and forth.
- You should feel the stool breaking into smaller pieces.
- Circular Removal:
- Slightly bend your finger and begin to move it in a circular motion around the inside of the rectum.
- As you move in a circle, try to remove the stool.
- Repeat as Needed: Repeat the breaking up and circular removal process until you have cleared the rectum of the stool.
- Clean Up: Once you are done, make sure to clean the area and dispose of gloves.
Important Considerations
- Gloves: Always wear disposable gloves when performing manual disimpaction.
- Lubricant: Use plenty of lubricant to prevent injury.
- Gentleness: Be gentle and avoid forcing your finger.
- Pain: If you experience significant pain, stop and seek advice from a medical professional.
- When to Seek Help: Manual disimpaction should be used with guidance from a health professional. If you find yourself doing this often, consult a doctor.
- Underlying Conditions: Remember that chronic constipation and fecal impaction can be symptoms of underlying medical conditions.
This method utilizes a specific motion, as highlighted:
Using a side-to-side scissor motion, move the finger back and forth to break up the hard stool. Then, slightly bend the finger and move it in a circular motion around the inside of the rectum while trying to remove stool. Repeat this process until the rectum is clear of stool.10-Oct-2023
