Taking care of your stoma

Collection systems

The stools produced by a stoma are collected in a system, consisting of a collection pouch and a protective flange which is applied to the skin around the stoma.

Different types of collection systems are available, depending on the type of stoma.

Opvangsystemen voor je colostoma

Opvangsystemen voor je ileostoma

Stoma care

You will be shown step by step how to care for your stoma to ensure that you are able to apply the stoma material yourself once discharged from hospital. We also recommend that you ask a close family member to attend a care session so that they can help you with this.

You will also be able to call upon home care services for additional help when you are discharged from hospital.

Stomazakje vervangen

Op deze pagina leggen we stap voor stap uit hoe je een stomazakje (eendelig of tweedelig) correct vervangt.

Ileostomazakje legen

Het opvangzakje voor een ileostoma is een open zakje. Op deze pagina leggen we stap voor stap uit hoe je dit tussentijds kan legen, zonder het volledige systeem te vervangen.

Colostomy flush

The physician in charge of your treatment and the stoma nurse will decide whether the irrigation method or colostomy flush is appropriate in your case. This only applies to patients with a colostomy - with an ileostomy, the stools are too liquid.

A colostomy flush involves you giving yourself an enema every two to three days to remove faeces. This will ensure that no stools are passed for one or more days and you won’t have to wear a large collection pouch. All you need to do is fit a stoma cap with an activated carbon filter.

General points to remember regarding stoma care

Skin care

Remove any hair around the stoma. The flange will adhere better to skin with little or no hair. However, take care to avoid injuring your skin.
Tip: use an electric razor.
You can safely have a bath or shower with or without the collection pouch. If the non-transparent material remains damp, you can fit a new pouch afterwards.
Do not use bath foam to prevent skin irritation. Also avoid bath oil, as this makes it harder for the flange to stick.

Stoma supplies

It is best to store the pouches and flanges in a cool, dry place, but not in the fridge.
Check your stock of stoma supplies regularly. When you open the last box, it’s time to place a new order.
Make sure you always have a few pouches that can be emptied in stock. You can use these in the event of diarrhoea, for example caused by radiotherapy or a course of antibiotics.

Skin problems

Always examine the stoma and the skin around it carefully when caring for the stoma, so that you can spot any changes quickly. The skin around the stoma should be smooth and intact. The stoma itself may be slightly swollen in the first few days after the operation, and it may sometimes bleed a little when you are caring for it. The stoma is attached to your skin with absorbable sutures, so the stitches will dissolve on their own.

Contact a stoma nurse or doctor if you notice any of the following skin problems:

dry, irritated skin (the skin around the stoma is bright red, itchy and painful)
moist, irritated skin (the skin around the stoma is bright red, itchy, moist and painful, and blisters may be present)
uneven skin (due to skin folds)

You can also find more information about possible skin problems in the information folder you will receive on discharge. Try to identify the cause of the problems and adjust your care routine if necessary.

Questions or problems

Non-urgent questions: stomazorg@uzleuven.be
Urgent questions during the week (from 09:00 to 16:00):
- tel. 016 34 37 75 (stoma team)
- tel. 016 34 42 65 (abdominal surgery secretariat)
The stoma nurse will try to solve the problem over the phone or make an appointment aimed at helping you as soon as possible.
Urgent questions outside of working hours or during the weekend:
tel. 016 34 44 40 (nurses on hospitalisatie 17 - abdominal surgery ward)