An ostomy refers to a medical surgery inside the body, opening an organ to the outside. The life-saving surgery makes an opening on the skin called a stoma. Ostomy surgeries take place on patients with difficulties accessing the outer side of the body for the release of waste. The most common types of ostomies are related to the gut. An ostomy is named according to the part of the boy where it occurs. An ostomy on the ileum is known as ileostomy; others are urostomy and colostomy. Body waste such as stool is then collected through the stoma into a pouch or an ostomy bag.
There are several types of bags available in the market to serve ostomy patients. Following either a bladder or colon diversion surgery, one may use a one-piece ostomy bag or a two-piece bag. However, one-piece ostomy bags are the most common, constituting a skin barrier/ wafer and a joined pouch. The pouches are emptied when either one third or half full. It is advisable not to fill the bags to prevent spillage or detachment from the body.
The care of post ostomy patients is crucial; hence the task is undertaken by specialized nurses. Wound and stoma care nurses are not only tasked with the care but also to educate. Ostomy education tackles the care of the stoma, hygiene, placement, and emptying of the pouches. Nurses may even advise on the most suitable bags for their patients.
Two-piece bags are attached to the adhesive component and cause less disturbance to the skin during changing. The one-piece kit contains an adhesive square which is attached to the skin around the stoma. One-piece ostomy bags can either be closed or drainable. The sealed bags are discarded when full, while the drainable bags can be emptied then retained. Closed bags are preferred for patients with relatively well-formed stool. Transverse colostomy, cecostomy, and ileostomy patients with watery stool use the drainable bag.
The advantages of the one-piece bag are that they have less evidence, especially for persons who prefer tight-fitting clothing. Also, the bag offers more confidence since it has low chances of detachment. The kit provides simplicity for patients, and the fewer parts facilitate changing and emptying. Some bags may come with carbon filters for gas. These bags are either transparent or opaque but are odor proof.
However, one-piece bags are a disadvantage to the skin around the stoma. Due to constant removal during changes, it may cause skin irritations, ulcerations, or infections. This bag is also not so friendly during travels, especially when using public washrooms since one is required to replace the whole kit. The entire process or using skin adhesive removers and accurate placement is time-consuming. The bag is also not advisable for obese patients with body folds pressing on it.
Some remedies on body irritations include the use of a skin barrier to protect the skin from adhesives. Also, medical-grade manuka honey is applied.
Factors to consider when choosing ostomy bags include the comfortability of the patient. Another crucial one is the cost and affordability both short term and long term. Also, consider the effects of using a kit like ulcerations caused by one-piece bags on the skin.
Despite challenges, an ostomy is necessary, and the bags are helpful to patients.
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