Selecting the Pouching System: Creases, Skin Retraction, Etc.

Abdominal plane topography and peristomal skin attributes/characteristics

•Creases

•Peristomal skin retraction

Stomas located in deep creases usually require flexible pouching systems.

Skin level stomas—slight convexity.

Stomas in concave “valleys”—deep convexity.

Flat systems for flat pouching surfaces.

May use ostomy ring or strip to level the pouching surface.  Use ring or strip to fill in “gullies”.

Reference: Emory University, 2013; Netsch and Rolstad, 2012