You have successfully logged out.

Hello !
chevron_right My profile
chevron_right To My B. Braun overview
Logout
close
What are you looking for?
close close

The right choice of stoma bag

Do you fight with stoma leakage and skin problems?

If this is the case, you might have experienced excretion settling under the wafer. Or maybe the skin around your stoma constantly feels painful and appears red or irritated. All this could impact the health of your skin, your mobility, and your overall well-being. 

On this page:

Identify the challenge

Your are not alone! Stoma leakage and skin irritation can occur more often than you might think.[1,2] No matter whether you’ve just had surgery or are a true veteran: It can happen to anyone. Even if you've had no problem with leakage before, the shape of your stoma or your body might have gradually changed over time and may affect the seal of your stoma bag.[3]

  • 0%

    of people with a stoma may experience leakage during their lifetime.[1]

  • Up to

    0%

    of the ostomy population can be affected by peristomal skin problems.[2]

While the reasons for skin irritation and leakage are manifold, the outcome can often be very similar: skin irritation and damage, sore spots, pain, reduced adhesiveness, more leakage, more insecurity.

Why do problems with your bag system and leakage occur?

Numerous contributing factors may affect the seal of your stoma system. To name just a few:

  • a flush stoma which is a stoma at the level of the abdominal skin[4]
  • a retracted stoma, which sits below the level of the abdominal skin[5,6]
  • uneven skin around the stoma with skin folds, creases, wrinkles[7,8,9]
  • flabby abdominal skin[7,8]

In such cases, a conventional wafer might simply not fit perfectly or close well around your stoma.

Have you already tried a convex stoma bag system?

A stoma bag with a convex-shaped wafer which curves into the peristomal skin might be an alternative for you.

 

Stoma bag systems with curved wafers have been designed to create sufficient pressure around your stoma to make it protrude into the bag. This contributes to a better seal and helps the output to be directed into the bag rather than underneath the wafer.[1,4,5,10] 

In a nutshell: Convex wafers are designed to[1,4,5,10,11]

 

  • provide a good seal around the stoma
  • help prevent leakage
  • help your peristomal skin to stay healthy
  • simplify stoma management for you

 

This can work for you, regardless of your size, weight, or whether you are a newbie or a veteran at managing your stoma.

Soft convexity for extra comfort and flexibility 

 

‟Soft convexity” refers to a combination of a convex-shaped wafer and a highly flexible wafer material which enables the appliance to shape and form your body contours in an even more comfortable way.[5]

blond woman with red pullover who bends one leg and stretches out both arms

The balance between the right amount of pressure and softness can help seal your stoma more securely to the surrounding skin.

Common advantages of soft convex products:[5,10]

 

  • more comfortable to wear than conventional ones
  • create slight, but enough pressure for a good seal around the stoma
  • likelihood of leakage decreases
  • can help to keep your peristomal skin healthy

O’ what a feeling

New generation soft convex stoma bag: Flexima® Active O’ convex

grandpa with glasses and beard who looks surprised and puts both hands to his face

Discovering the soft convex product Flexima® Active O’ convex could start a new chapter in your life with ostomy.

O’ what a flexibility

From the moment you touch the smooth and soft material of the wafer, you may feel a difference. The soft material of the wafer follows every move you make and allows you to do all the things you love most again.

 

How is that possible?

The flexible ring in combination with a gentle slope can offer numerous benefits for you:

  • smooth and soft material
  • shapes and forms your body contours
  • high flexibility[5]
O‘ what a change

Flexima® Active O’ convex seals your stoma which might increase your sense of security, and it also protects your peristomal skin. Apart from the skin-friendly, soft and flexible material, it is also easy to put on and remove. The soft convex stoma bag is designed to accommodate every movement and lifestyle.

 

Experience all benefits:

  • easy to put on and to remove[10]
  • protects your peristomal skin
  • for all types of stoma[5]

Select your product version[12]

Particularly suitable and convenient to use for ileostomies and colostomies with pasty or liquid stool:

 

  • easy to empty through wide 7cm outlet
  • smart closing – fold and press adhesive stripes together
  • softened edges for increased comfort once outlet is closed
  • discreet bag design

If you have a urostomy, this may be an appropriate solution – at day and night:

 

  • uro-specific outlet with open/closed position 
  • locking system closes with audible click
  • simple handling allows to keep hands clean

 

Your advantages at night

 

  • connection to a night urine drainage bag
  • connection reinforced by a click
  • external night drainage means less interruption to your sleep

Particularly if your stoma is relatively new, you may need an extra sense of security. This is exactly what the B. Braun stoma belt for Flexima® Active O’ convex was designed to do. The product features three slots on each side which makes it possible to attach it to your favorite bag position.[13] 

You want to try an alternative convex product?

 

B. Braun offers a wide range of convex options to choose from, so everyone can find the right solution. To make the best decision for you, it is helpful to consult with your nurse and have an abdominal assessment to determine the most suitable appliance and depth of convexity. Depending on how your stoma sits, a 4 to 8 millimeter convexity is sensible.

[1] Evans M, White P. Selecting convexity to improve and maintain peristomal skin integrity. Br J Nurs. 2020 Sep 10;29(16):S8-S14. doi: 10.12968/bjon.2020.29.16.S8. PMID: 32901550.

[2] Andersen NK, Trøjgaard P, Herschend NO, Størling ZM. Automated Assessment of Peristomal Skin Discoloration and Leakage Area Using Artificial Intelligence. Front Artif Intell. 2020 Sep 10;3:72. doi: 10.3389/

frai.2020.00072. PMID: 33733189; PMCID: PMC7861335.

[3] Krishnamurty DM, Blatnik J, Mutch M. Stoma Complications. Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2017 Jul;30(3):193-200. doi: 10.1055/s-0037-1598160. Epub 2017 May 22. PMID: 28684937; PMCID: PMC5498161.

[4] Cronin E, A guide to the appropriate use of convex stoma care products. Gastrointestinal Nursing 2013; Vol. 6, No. 2. DOI: 10.12968/gasn.2008.6.2.28803. ISSN: 14795248.

[5] Hoeflok J, Salvadalena G, Pridham S, Droste W, McNichol L, Gray M. Use of Convexity in Ostomy Care: Results of an International Consensus Meeting. J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs. 2017 Jan/Feb;44(1):55-62. doi: 10.1097/WON.0000000000000291. PMID: 28002174; PMCID: PMC5266410.

[6] Hoeflok J, Kittscha J, Purnell P. Use of convexity in pouching: a comprehensive review. J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs. 2013 Sep-Oct;40(5):506-12. doi: 10.1097/WON.0b013e3182a219b7. PMID: 24448619.

[7] Turnbull GB, The convexity controversy. Ostomy Wound Manage. 2003 Jan;49(1):16-7. PMID: 12532029.

[8] Young MJ, Convexity in the management of problem stomas. Ostomy Wound Manage. 1992 May;38(4):53-4, 56, 59-60. PMID: 1590908. Abstract.

[9] Barr JE, Assessment and management of stomal complications: a framework for clinical decision making. Ostomy Wound Manage. 2004 Sep;50(9):50-2, 54, 56 passim. PMID: 15361633.

[10] Perrin A. Convex stoma appliances: an audit of stoma care nurses. Br J Nurs. 2016 Dec 8;25(22):S10-S15. doi: 10.12968/bjon.2016.25.22.S10. PMID: 27935354.

[11] Data on file: Lukas Schaumann – Report on Flexima®/Softima® Key post-marketing user evaluation. 2005-03-23.

[12] see current IFU Flexima® Active O' convex

[13] see current IFU Stoma Belt

chevron_right
Back to Top arrow_upward