A new appliance for collecting ileostomy and jejunostomy fluid in the postoperative period

Abstract

A new lightweight two-piece ileostomy appliance was tested in 11 patients with newly established ileostomies and jejunostomies. Seven of the patients presented difficult stoma care problems. The appliance was fitted in theatre on completion of the operation and the patient was followed until discharge from hospital. The appliance remained in place for an average of 4.8 +/- 1.2 days. In a total of 204 patient-days the pouch became dislodged from the flange on 10 occasions and there was leakage under the body flange on 7 occasions. All but one of the patients continued to use the appliance on discharge. No patient was allergic to the appliance nor complained of odour. It is concluded that this new appliance represents an important advance in postoperative stoma care.