If you are new to ostomy life, or learning to benefit yourself and someone you love, understanding these words can be very helpful in navigating this new lifestyle. For some, ostomies are a temporary fix to allow the body to settle and for others, ostomies are a permanent part of their everyday lives.
Accessory. Ostomy “accessories” are products, belts, bag covers, stoma guards, clothing, or otherwise that work to better the quality of life for the ostomate. Accessories are not required for ostomy life.
Adhesions. Much like adhesions elsewhere around the body, adhesions are scar tissue build-ups that cling and stick together inside of the body. Adhesions can be extremely painful and require surgical intervention to try at correcting the issues. Trouble with adhesions is that the more you bother them, the more they grow and worsen for many.
Anastomosis. Most common in those who have had bowel resections or bowel surgeries, anastomosis is where two parts of the bowel come together.
Appliance. The ostomy bag and wafer used to collect urine or stool is the appliance.
“Barbie Butt” Procedure. This procedure closes the anal canal in men and women. For women, a “Barbie Butt,” and for men, the “Ken Butt.”
“Burping the Bag.” A term referencing manually emptying or removing the built-up gas through the opening, a vent, or creating a small gap in a two-piece system between the flange.
Ballooning. When an ostomy bag is full of bodily gases, it fills and looks like a balloon. This can also mean that the bag with a built-in filter has a broken or “clogged” filter.
Barrier Ring. These rings are used as an extra seal under the wafer, offering a pliable barrier that can be made different shapes and sizes to fit various stoma types.
Barrier Spray & Wipes. These sprays and wipes help to create a chemical and friction barrier on the skin around the stoma area for more protection. Some ostomates do not use these products, while others with sensitive skin depend on these to keep skin healthy and safe.
Belt Loops. One either side of the ostomy bag, there are often little “flaps” that are made to attach to ostomy belts to help hold the bag firmly in place.
Bowel Obstructions & Blockages. Any time the output is restricted from exiting through the stoma, it is referred to as a blockage or obstruction. There are many reasons that a blockage or obstruction could happen. Some may require extra fluids or carbonated drinks, avoiding certain foods, or seeking medical attention as this can be an emergent issue in some cases.
Blowout. This major leak happens when stool or urine breaches the perimeter of the wafer, or base plate. A “typical” leak usually stays under the appliance wafer, or wax barrier ring.
Bowel Resection. A bowel resection occurs when some of or all your bowel has been removed. If this occurs, an anastomosis can be performed to join the two remaining ends back together.
Closed Pouch or Closed Bag. A closed pouch or bag has no opening or outlet to drain waste. These bags are typically used by colostomates and changed out or replaced when full.
Closure. The “closure” is the end or bottom of the ostomy pouch that stays closed until you are ready to drain the contents out. Typically, a Velcro fastener, spigot, or foldable end with clamp.
Colectomy. This is the partial or complete removal of the colon. This is also called: subtotal colectomy, partial colectomy, and proctocolectomy.
Colostomate. A person who has a colostomy.
Convex or Convexity. A convex wafer is thicker than a traditional wafer and shaped to apply gentle pressure around the stoma area. A convex appliance may be beneficial for those who have a recessed or flush-to-the-skin stoma. If you are unsure of which type of bag or wafer to use, contact your ostomy team or wound care nurse.
Continent Ostomy. This ostomy involves an internal pouch or reservoir to collect output. Instead of wearing an appliance or bag, they use a catheter to empty their internal pouch. This is not as common of an ostomy procedure. This is also called a “Koch Pouch” or “BCIR.”
Coupling. On a two-piece appliance, the coupling is the part that joins the bags to the wafer, usually at the flange. Couplings are often mechanical or adhesive.
Cut-To-Fit Wafer. These wafers allow the ostomate to cut their own stoma size out of the wafer. This is ideal for those who have stomas that change in size, or irregularly shaped stomas.
Double Barrel Ostomy. This type of ostomy is like a “loop ostomy” but the person will have two separate stomas created. One stoma will function as a mucous fistula, and the other to expel waste from the ostomy. This is not as common as the loop ostomy procedure.
Drainable Pouch. A drainable ostomy bag or pouch allows the user to empty their pouch through an opening, usually called an outlet or closure, is then secured using Velcro, a spigot, or a clip. Drainable bags are used most frequently by ileostomates.
Dyson. A slang term for those who had an ostomy but went through a reversal and are now bagless. “Dyson” is a common brand of bagless vacuum cleaners.
Effluent. This term describes something that comes out of the stoma, including urine, stool, mucous, or otherwise. See “Output.”
End Ostomy. The “end ostomy” is when one part of the intestine comes through the skin. This is most common in those with a permanent ostomy.
Extended Wear Wafer. These wafers are designed to handle liquid output the best and have stronger adhesive that absorbs fluids better than regular wafers. They are intended for longer wear times.
Filter. Some types of ostomy bags have filters built-in to help remove gas and prevent ballooning. They look different depending on which bag brand you are using, but usually towards the top of the bag. Most all filters contain charcoal to help deodorize the gas as it leaves the bag. Typically, it is a personal choice of bag style, as many ostomates report the built-in filters do not work well, if at all.
Fistula. A fistula is an abnormal connection between two organs and the surface of your skin. Fistulas are common with many GI related diseases and issues. See also “Mucous Fistula.” These connections can occur:
- Between the bowel to the skin
- Between the rectum to the vagina
- Between the bowel and the bladder
- And many other types in other areas of the body.
Flange. Also called the wafer or baseplate, but more commonly known as the flange – this refers to the plastic ring on a two-piece appliance that connects the bag to the wafer.
Flange Extender/Wafer Extender. This extender is designed to protect the edges of the ostomy wafer. They can be handy when water sports or swimming will happen, to secure an ostomy appliance, to contain leaks, and to extend the life of the wafer.
Flush stoma. A stoma that is flush, or level, with the skin and does not protrude.
Food Bolus Obstruction. This type of obstruction is caused when food creates a mass that cannot easily pass through the intestines or stomach and ends up causing a blockage. These can be very dangerous for ostomates!
Hernia. When referencing hernias with an ostomy, see Parastomal Hernia.
Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis. An IPAA is a big term used to describe a surgically created internal pouch (like the j-pouch) used to collect stool. This is a common procedure for those with Ulcerative Colitis.
Ileostomate. A common name describing those with an ileostomy.
Ileostomy. This ostomy includes a stoma formed at the end of the small intestine, the ileum.
Irrigate. The process of using water to flush the contents of an ostomy bag out. This is different from the irrigation that a colostomy patient uses to flush stool directly from their colon.
Irrigate (colostomy). This is colonic irrigation where the person intentionally flushes the contents out of their colon using water. This helps to make bowel movements more consistent and planned but can require up to an hour to accomplish. Not every colostomate will irrigate and all colostomates who irrigate will need training and support from their ostomy team.
Leak. A leak is when an appliance fails to contain its contents. This usually happens under the wafer or wax barrier ring, but can happen through the filter, a tear or hole in the bag, out, coupling, etc.
Loop Ileostomy. A “loop” ileostomy is created when the surgeon pulls a loop of bowel through the abdomen, making a bridge. An incision is made in the “bridge” to stool can exit the body and creates an opening for a mucous fistula. The loop ileostomy has only one continuous portion of bowel forming the stoma, although it will have two openings. This is a very common ostomy procedure.
Moldable Wafer. The moldable wafer allows you to size the hold for your stoma without the need to cut it. This can create a better fit around the stoma. Not all brands offer moldable wafers.
Mucus. This gooey substance is something that occurs often in those who have had bowel surgery. While we often correlate mucus with a sinus infection or a stuffy nose, mucus can also be present in many other areas of the body. If you’ve had an ostomy procedure but kept your colon and rectum but it is no longer attached to anything, you may still produce and expel mucus, like a bowel movement. This is normal.
Mucus Fistula. This type of fistula is a surgically created stoma used to expel mucus, stool, or urine into an ostomy bag. With a loop ileostomy or a double barrel ostomy, one of the two openings may serve as the mucus fistula.
One-Piece Appliance. This is an ostomy bag that is attached to the wafer in one piece.
Opaque Ostomy Bag. This ostomy bag is not see-through and is usually covered by fabric or other material.
Ostomate. A term referencing anyone with an ostomy.
Ostomy. An ostomy is a surgical procedure where an artificial opening, a stoma, is made from an organ in the body. “Ostomy” and “stoma” are often used interchangeably. Types of ostomies: urostomy, colostomy, ileostomy.
Ostomy Bag. The bag or pouch where output is collected after it leaves the body through the stoma. An ostomy bag is connected to a wafer either as a one- or two-piece system.
Ostomy Reversal. For those who have a temporary ostomy, a reversal means that their intestines will be reconnected to work on restoring natural bowel function. In some cases, this might mean the creation of a j-pouch when the colon and rectum have been removed.
Outlet. This is part of the ostomy bag that opens to help drain the waste into the toilet, trash can, bag, or otherwise. This is found only on drainable bags. The outlet will have a special closure to help keep things secure.
Output. A term used to describe all waste leaving the body, or mucus, coming from the stoma. The consistency of output can range from liquid to solid stool depending on the stoma type, diet, other health issues, medications, or other health issues.
Pancaking. This term describes what happens to output when it gets stuck near the top of the ostomy bag around the stoma, rather than the waste falling to the bottom of the ostomy bag. Colostomates and ileostomates with thicker output may experience this.
Periostomal Hernia. A parastomal hernia happens when the loop of your bowel bulges under the skin next to or around the stoma. This occurs often due to weakening abdominal walls and muscles following abdominal surgeries.
Peristalsis. Peristalsis refers to muscles contracting to help push food through your digestive tract. These contractions often occur in wave-like motions in the direction of the stoma or anus. Those with motility disorders have failed peristalsis or out of sync rhythms creating more problems.
Peristomal Skin. This refers to the skin around the stoma.
Partial Colectomy. A partial colectomy is when part of the colon is removed but the rectum is left. An anastomosis is performed to join the two ends together.
Pelvic Exenteration. This surgery involves removing many organs- bladder, rectum, urethra, and anus. This often leads to a wet colostomy.
Permanent Ostomy/Stoma. A permanent ostomy is made when there is no change of reversal. This is often done with an end ostomy, although some end with a continent ostomy.
Pouch Closure. This is the closure on an ostomy bag, which seals the outlet. This might be a clip, Velcro, or other clasp-like closure.
Pouch Filter. A bag filter is a feature of some types of ostomy bags must allow bodily gas to escape to prevent ballooning.
Pouch Outlet. The outlet of an ostomy bag is located at the very bottom where waste leaves the bag. There are various styles depending on the brand of bag, and whether liquid or stool is being contained.
Pre-Cut Wafer. Pre-cut wafers have a hole already cut to a specific size of a stoma. These are great for those ostomate who have a stoma that stays the same size and is round.
Proctectomy. The surgical removal of the rectum, whether partial or complete.
Proctocolectomy. This is a type of bowel resection where the entire rectum and colon are removed in one procedure.
Prolapsed Stoma. A prolapsed stoma is one that sticks out much longer than planned. Some ostomates may be able to function with a prolapsed stoma, while others will need surgical correction.
Protruding stoma. A protruding stoma sticks out from the skin. Usually, it is under an inch in length but can vary.
Recessed Stoma. A recessed stoma dips below the skin line. This type of stoma can be troublesome and often causes leaks. A convex appliance may help with this issue.
Retracted Stoma. Much like a recessed stoma, a retracted stoma is one that does not stick out. A retracted stoma may be flush with the skin, recessed, or completely inverted below the skin. This can also cause problems with leaks and proper bag fit and adhesion.
Regular Wear Wafer or Standard Wear Wafer. This is the most common type of wafer and used by most ostomates who intend to change their appliance frequently- daily, multiple times a day, or every few days. The adhesive on these wafers is not ideal for absorbing liquid, so ileostomates and urostomates may have better luck with extended wear wafers.
Skin Barrier. See wafer.
Stoma. A stoma is the opening on the surface of the skin where a surgically created hole is made to divert urine or stool.
Stoma Cap. The smallest wearable ostomy appliance, a stoma cap designed to be discreet. This is often worn by those who irrigate their colon or collect mucus from a mucus fistula.
Stoma Powder. A special powder that works to absorb moisture from weepy and damaged skin around the stoma. This is often paired with a barrier wipe or barrier spray to create a better surface for adhesion.
Stomahesive. The company Convatec makes Stomahesive. It covers ostomy wafers, stoma paste, stoma powders, and more. Often confused with an adhesive product.
Subtotal Colectomy. This type of colectomy takes the entire colon out and leaves the rectum.
Temporary Ostomy/Stoma. A temporary ostomy or stoma is created with intentions to revise and reverse later. This is common for people to who their bowels to heal or rest. In other cases, a temporary ostomy may be converted to a permanent ostomy.
Transit Time. This is how long it takes for food to pass through the digestive system.
Two-piece Appliance. In a two-piece system, the ostomy bag and wafer are separated from one another and need to be attached to work.
Urostomate. A name referring to those who have a urostomy.
Urostomy. A type of ostomy where urine is diverted outside of the body.
Wafer. A wafer is part of an ostomy system that sticks to your skin. This is also called a baseplate, skin barrier, or flange. These can be flat or convex. Some also come in various shapes to help with adhesion on various body types.
Wafer Erosion. This describes the breakdown of an ostomy wafer. A wafer can erode or “melt” around the stoma as it encounters fluids.
Wear Time. This refers to the duration an ostomate can go between changes, specifically the time between wafer changes. This varies for individuals and different ostomy types. Typically, colostomates and ileostomates go between three and five days between changes.
Wet Colostomy. With this ostomy, both urine and stool are output from a single stoma. This is common for those who have had pelvic exenteration and the output is liquid.
Citations:
UOAA (United Ostomy Association of America)
Mayo Clinic
Vegan Ostomy
American Cancer Society