Torbot - Ostomy and Medical Supplies

LEARN MORE ABOUT OSTOMIES

DID YOU KNOW?

OSTOMIES:

• Approximately 70,000 patients undergo some form of ostomy surgery in the United States or Canada. You are not alone!
• An ostomy is a surgery that is needed when a person does not have a normally functioning bladder or bowel.
• The surgery creates a new opening in the abdominal wall (called a stoma) for bodily waste to be excreted.
• An ostomate is a person who has undergone an ostomy surgery.
• Most ostomates must wear special appliances over the stoma. An appliance is a pouch and accessories used to collect waste excreted from the body.
• There are some foods you can eat to control odor! These foods include cranberry and orange juice, parsley and yogurt. Be sure to check out our complete food reference chart.
• You have many choices when it comes to choosing a pouching system, so if you are uncomfortable, try something else. There are also several types of skin barriers to ease discomfort. Try a Karaya Gum Washer or a Colly-Seal!
• It’s okay to feel sad or uncomfortable discussing your ostomy with other people. There are four phases that can be associated with an ostomy surgery: shock or panic, defense or denial, acknowledgment and finally adaptation or resolution. Be sure to discuss your feelings with your doctor or someone you trust, like a parent or spouse.
• The more you know, the better you can take control of your life. Stay informed and don’t be afraid to ask questions!

DEFINTIONS THAT MAY BE HELPFUL TO YOU:

Adhesion: bands of fibrous tissue, usually resulting from inflammation; act of adhering or sticking

Colostomy: surgical opening from the colon to the surface of the abdomen to form a stoma

Continent Urostomy: surgical construction of an intra-abdominal pouch from a section of the bowel for retention of urine, after dysfunction or failure of the bladder

Fistula: abnormal opening from bowel to surface of the skin, usually causing great discomfort

Ileostomy: surgical opening from the ileum (see next definition) to the surface of the abdomen to form a stoma

Ileum: lower half of the small intestine which ends at the beginning of the large intestine in lower right part of abdomen

Irrigation: flushing of large bowel through colostomy opening (stoma)

Karaya: available as a gum, powder and paste, for protecting the skin around the stoma

Urine Crystals: sharp crystals which can from on a urinary stoma or surrounding skin. They can be dissolved with soaks using white vinegar and water in a 50/50 solution

Urostomy: surgical connection (with a piece of ileum) from the ureters to the mid-abdomen to form a stoma for discharge of urine after removal or dysfunction of the bladder

Wafer: molded plate of an ostomy pouch system. Fits against and adheres to the skin.

TYPES OF POUCHING SYSTEMS:

There are two types of pouching systems: one-piece or two-piece. Both systems include a flange or faceplate (barrier/wafer) and a pouch for the collection of body excretions. The pouch is attached to the body and fits over the stoma. The barrier helps to protect the skin around the stoma. Pouches can be either drainable or closed.

Two-piece systems have a separate pouch and flange. One-piece systems are just like they sound, with the flange and pouch assembled together in one piece.

Urostomy pouches can also be one or two piece systems but also include a special valve or spout which connects to a leg bag or drainage tube connected to a special bag or bottle.

HELPFUL ACCESSORIES:

Ostomy Belt: holds the appliance to the body for extra security
Pouch Cover: usually made of cotton and fits over the pouch for comfort and discretion
Skin Barriers: available as liquid, wipes and powder to protect the skin around the stoma. Also aids in adhesion of the wafer to the skin.
Tapes: can be used to help support the flange or wafer and waterproofing
Tape Remover: removes adhesive from the skin

REFERENCES

1. Saskatoon Ostomy Association, A chapter of the United Ostomy Association of Canada
2. The International Ostomy Association
3. United Ostomy Association of America