# Harris flush

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A '''Harris flush''' is a type of [enema](/source/enema) aimed to evacuate painful [flatus](/source/flatulence) from a patient who has undergone abdominal [surgery](/source/surgery). It differs from a standard enema in that it is intended to alleviate flatus, while the purpose of standard enemas is to principally remove stool.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mcn-policy-library.com/Policy-procedure-documents/52/Enema-Harris-Flush.htm |title=Enema - Harris Flush - Medical Surgical Unit Policy and Procedure Manual |publisher=Mcn-policy-library.com |date= |accessdate=2012-03-04}}</ref>

A Harris Flush kit is required. A sterile tube is inserted into the [rectum](/source/rectum) and sterile water is flushed upward into the [colon](/source/colon_(anatomy)) and then aspirated through the same tube. The excess gas is removed via the aspirated water. The procedure relies on gravity to accomplish its goal with the nurse slowly raising, then lowering, the enema bag while it remains connected to the hose, while nozzle remains in the patient's rectum.  The procedure is repeated several times.

==References==
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Category:Medical treatments

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Harris flush](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harris_flush) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harris_flush?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.