What Is an Ostomy Pouch?

An ostomy pouch is a collection system you wear on your body following a lifesaving ostomy surgery, which reroutes how your body expels waste. An ostomy pouch collects urine or feces from a stoma, an opening in your abdomen created during the ostomy surgery. You may need to wear an ostomy pouch temporarily or permanently, depending on the reason you need one and what kind of ostomy surgery you had.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976295a95c5ba-79cf-411b-95a3-3396bd828a59
What Is an Ostomy Pouch? Definition An ostomy pouch is necessary after ostomy surgery, a type of procedure that reroutes the way your body eliminates waste. “An ostomy pouch is a medical bag that attaches to the body to collect waste when part of your digestive or urinary system doesn’t work as it normally would,” says Raj Dasgupta, MD , a physician at Keck School of Medicine at University of Southern California in Los Angeles. “It connects to a small opening on the belly, called a stoma, that’s made during surgery. The pouch keeps waste contained and helps protect the skin, so people can go about daily life with less worry,” he says. Ostomy pouches consist of a skin barrier (an adhesive that attaches around the stoma and protects the skin) and a pouch (which collects feces or urine expelled from the stoma). It’s an odor-proof system designed to be worn during your daily activities.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976296ec54425-a436-4d1c-b4ab-a4458102661c There are different types of surgeries used to create ostomies, including:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762956707803-f51e-4a17-8d60-d2790f7d7782 Ileosotomy: An ileostomy redirects a portion of your ileum (small intestine) to create a stoma in your abdominal wall. Colostomy: This procedure redirects a part of your colon (large intestine) to create a stoma. Urostomy: This redirects your ureters (which carry urine from your kidneys to your bladder) to create a stoma.
Who Needs an Ostomy Pouch? Who Gets One? “People might need an ostomy pouch because of conditions that damage or block the bowel or bladder,” says Dr. Dasgupta. “Sometimes, it’s because the organ needed to be removed. Other times, it’s to let the body heal after surgery.” “Many patients need ostomies for different reasons,” says Daniel Wong, MD , a colorectal surgeon at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Needham, Massachusetts. You may need an ostomy pouch if you have one of the following conditions:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629fdbc1789-84c5-4e5a-880c-1b2db2d07338 Bladder cancer Colorectal cancer Severe chronic urinary or bowel incontinence Complications from diverticulitis Inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis , if the disease doesn’t improve with medication Intestinal obstruction Any condition that requires your gastrointestinal or urinary tract to rest and heal Your ostomy pouch may be permanent or temporary, depending on your medical condition and why you needed one in the first place. “Some are temporary to allow healing of a new connection or to medically treat the issues preventing the normal discharge of stool,” says Dr. Wong. If your ostomy is meant to be temporary, you will undergo a reversal surgery, and you will no longer need to use an ostomy pouch.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629e5e4b400-e532-455f-9a80-f21f93f0ddbe
How Does an Ostomy Pouch Work? How It Works The adhesive skin barrier of the ostomy pouch works to both protect the skin around the stoma and allow the device to be comfortably worn on the body. The skin barrier is cut to match the size and shape of your stoma. For example, if it is small and round, it will be shaped to match. Your stoma nurse will help you learn how to cut the skin barrier so you have the best fit for your stoma.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629977881f1-1ff3-4d24-906e-00fb3d59b251 “The pouch sticks securely around the stoma and collects waste as it comes out. It’s designed to prevent leaks and control odor, says Dasgupta. “The goal is to manage waste in a way that’s comfortable and reliable, so people can live as normally as possible.” Typically, you need to empty your ostomy pouch when it’s one-third full, so that it doesn’t become too heavy and cause leakages. You should also change your device every three to four days.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629977881f1-1ff3-4d24-906e-00fb3d59b251
What Are the Different Types of Ostomy Pouches? Types There are two types of ostomy pouching systems that you may choose from, depending on your preference and needs:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762924248ee2-f65e-4a52-9c7e-fe22f00d909e One-piece pouching system: This consists of a skin barrier and ostomy pouch that attaches as one piece. Two-piece pouching system: This consists of a skin barrier and ostomy pouch that are two separate units. The skin barrier is placed over the stoma first, and the pouch is then attached to the skin barrier via a clip mechanism designed to join the two. Your ostomy nurse will help you decide which option is best for you. Factors to consider when choosing a one- or two-piece system are:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762924248ee2-f65e-4a52-9c7e-fe22f00d909e The type of stoma you have Your body shape Concerns you may have about concealing your ostomy pouch Your usual daily activities Your preferences Regardless of which system you choose, each is designed to be leakproof, free of odors, and comfortable, allowing you to go about your daily activities without restrictions.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762924248ee2-f65e-4a52-9c7e-fe22f00d909e “While having an ostomy is a big life adjustment, our patients with ostomies are not limited by them,” Wong says. “Patients with ostomies can fully participate in whatever social or physical activities they would like to.”
The Takeaway Ostomy pouches are medical devices that are designed to collect urine or feces after a lifesaving ostomy surgery, which is sometimes needed for certain medical conditions. Ostomy pouches consist of a skin barrier, which provides skin protection, and an ostomy pouch, which collects waste as it’s expelled from the body. Ostomy pouches come in one- or two-part systems. Your ostomy nurse can help you choose the best fit for you.
Resources We Trust Cleveland Clinic: OstomyMayo Clinic: Ostomy: Adapting to Life After Colostomy, Ileostomy or UrostomyUniversity of Chicago Medicine: A Guide to Ostomy Bags and Pouching SystemsUnited Ostomy Associations of America: What Is an Ostomy? and Support Group Finder

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