Subject:

Description/Scope

Colonic irrigation (also known as colonic lavage, hydrotherapy of the colon and colonics) is a procedure to wash out (or lavage) fecal material on walls of the large bowel. High-volume colonic irrigation involves the use of 35 or more liters of water, which is fed by gravity, to cleanse the colon. High-volume colonic irrigation has been proposed as an alternative to the traditional oral bowel preparations that are used to cleanse the colon prior to colonoscopy or other endoscopic procedure and as a treatment for constipation and bloating.

This document addresses the use of high-volume colonic irrigation and does not address other types of colonic irrigation which utilize smaller quantities of water, including, but not necessarily limited to, transanal and intraoperative (antegrade and retrograde) colonic irrigation.

Position Statement

Investigational and Not Medically Necessary:

High-volume colonic irrigation is considered investigational and not medically necessary for all indications.