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Preventing leaks and improving quality of life after years of stoma related complications

Ms Blue* had a Sub Total Colectomy for Crohn’s disease which resulted in the formation of a loop ileostomy.

*name has been changed to ensure anonymity

Ms Blue had been using the same stoma pouch for several years with ongoing issues including leakage and skin stripping. She also found it difficult to cope with a parastomal hernia, uneven skin contours and an erratic output. Finding it difficult to cope, she contacted the SecuriCare Patient Services team for advice, and it was recommended that Ms Blue undergo an annual review with a Stoma Care Nurse to assess and correct these issues, with the aim of optimising Ms Blue’s stoma care routine and improving her quality of life.

An annual review was undertaken, and it was apparent that the stretching of the parastomal hernia was causing broken areas of skin around the stoma, as well as further peristomal skin complications (PSC’s) caused by stoma effluent contacting the skin and skin-stripping around the stoma. Ms Blue has been self-treating the areas with calamine lotion at home but was continuing to struggle with skin health.

After analysing Ms Blue’s stoma and abdominal profile it was recommended that Ms Blue tried Aura Plus Soft Convex. This change aimed to provide gentle support to help bring Ms Blue’s stoma out into the pouch to reduce the risk of leaks, whilst having enough flexibility to maintain a secure seal around her parastomal hernia.

Aura Plus Soft Convex was demonstrated to Ms Blue, and she began to use it with a follow up appointment being booked for one week’s time.

A stoma with injured peristomal skin from leakage and skin stripping.

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Pre-evaluation photograph
A stoma with peristomal skin that has begun to heal from irritation.

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Post-evaluation photograph

During the follow up Ms Blue reported an extremely positive experience using Aura Plus Soft Convex. She didn’t experience any leaks, which was a frequent experience with her usual pouches. As well as this, Ms Blue found the overall pouch experience much better, reporting that Aura Plus Soft Convex is ‘soft and flexible’ and that she ‘loves everything to do with the pouch’.

Ms Blue reported how she found the adhesion of the pouch excellent, providing security but also being kind to her peristomal skin, something she didn’t find with her usual pouch. The improvement in peristomal skin condition is clear when reviewing the photographs taken prior to the use of Aura Plus Soft Convex, and one week post using Aura Plus Soft Convex. Ms Blue felt that the Manuka honey in the flange was beneficial to her peristomal skin. This has been reported in clinical studies evaluating the use of Manuka honey in stoma care.1

Ms Blue also benefitted from the release tab on the drainable outlet. She found her usual pouch quite messy to clean and would often soil her hands, so found the drainable outlet with the release tab easier to direct into the toilet, easier to open and overall much less messy. She also found Aura Plus Soft Convex more discreet than her usual pouch, helping her to feel more confident leaving the house.

Ms Blue is delighted that her stoma related complications have been resolved, reporting an improvement in her quality of life, and changing to Aura Plus Soft Convex which led to improved pouch outcomes.

Ms Blue also found that she was having to change her pouch less frequently, as she was sometimes changing her pouch up to four times a day due to leakage. Ms Blue now has to order less pouches, resulting in a cost saving whilst also meaning Ms Blue doesn’t have to worry about carrying excess pouches in case of emergencies.

Before using Aura Plus Soft Convex, Ms Blue struggled to lead a normal life and she didn’t have the confidence to leave the house because of the fear of leaks. Now Ms Blue has resolved those leaks and has experienced the additional benefits of improved skin condition, also contributing to improved wellbeing. Ms Blue prefers Aura Plus Soft Convex, and it’s given her the confidence to focus on the things that matter most without worrying about her stoma pouch. Ms Blue expressed that she feels grateful to have found a stoma pouch that has resolved her problems and that she feels comfortable with.

References

  1. White, P., & Evans, M. (2019). Clinical governance for ostomates at risk of peristomal skin complications. British Journal of Nursing, 28(16), 24-32.