Stoma care
The purpose of this guideline is to provide guidance about stoma care at Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Stoma formation in childhood is performed during the surgical correction of congenital abnormalities, following trauma and/or to defunction the bowel, treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, intestinal motility disorders, infections e.g. necrotising enterocolitis and malignancy of gastrointestinal tract or urinary system.
There are three main types of output stomas:
Ileostomy: a portion of ileum is brought out through the abdominal wall and is normally sited in the right iliac fossa.
Colostomy: a portion of the colon is brought through the abdominal wall and is normally sited in the left iliac fossa (the transverse, descending or sigmoid colon may be used).
Urinary diversion:
Vesicostomy: the neck of the bladder is brought through the abdominal wall low down in the pelvis.
Ureterostomy: one or two of the ureters can be brought out to the abdominal wall either side by side or at either side of the abdomen or flanks.
Ileal conduit: a small segment of ileum is isolated to act as a reservoir and the ureters implanted into it. This stoma can be sited either in the left or right iliac fossa.
There are many different pouches produced by a number of manufacturers. Using an inappropriate pouch is time-consuming and can cause needless discomfort for the patient (Burch 2014).
There are basically two designs of pouch:
A one-piece pouch has an adhesive flange with a pouch bonded onto it.
A two-piece pouch has an adhesive flange and a separate pouch, which attaches to the flange.
Both the one piece and the two-piece pouch can have a closed end or an open or drainable end (Rationale 1).
Urinary pouches have non-refluxing valves and an adaptor to attach to an overnight drainage bag (Rationale 2).
Children with colostomies, which produce formed stool, have the opportunity to use a colostomy plug:
A faceplate is attached to the skin and a plug is inserted into the stoma. A cap on the end of the plug is then clipped onto the faceplate.
The plug has to be removed at least twelve hourly and a bag attached to the faceplate (Rationale 3).
In the early post-operative period a one piece, drainable transparent pouch should be applied (Rationale 4).
Stoma siting
The majority of stoma formation in childhood is carried out in the neonatal period. Stomas are generally a temporary measure until definitive surgery is performed. Babies do not have their stomas sited as they are formed during an emergency surgery.
If the child is older, or the stoma will be required for a longer period, its position should be sited prior to surgery (Rationale 5) (Rust 2009).
Time and consideration should be spent ensuring the optimal site is marked. The following points should be considered:
The child should be able to see the stoma (Rationale 6).
The stoma should be placed within the rectus abdominus sheath (Rationale 7).
Any bony prominences must be avoided (Rationale 8).
Any previous scars, skin folds or creases must be avoided. There should be enough flat surface around the stoma for the pouch to adhere (Rationale 9).
The waistline of clothes must be avoided (Rationale 10).
Ensure that any prostheses or braces do not cover the site (Rationale 11).
If the child is wheelchair bound, the stoma must be sited while he/she is in the wheelchair (Rationale 12).
Changing the stoma pouch
Gather appropriate equipment: (Rationale 13)
receptacle to empty the pouch into
disposable gloves (for hospital staff)
non-alcoholic adhesive remover
bowl of warm water
gauze squares or cleansing wipes
new pouch
bag to dispose of the used pouch and cleansing materials
scissors
template or measuring device
Position the child. Babies should lie down, older children may lie down or stand up (Rationale 14).
Wash hands and put on disposable gloves. If a drainable pouch is used it needs to be emptied prior to removal (Rationale 15). The output should be measured, with volume and consistency documented on fluid chart.
Remove the old pouch by carefully peeling it off from top to bottom with one hand, whilst supporting the skin with the other. Only use non-alcoholic adhesive removers if required - adhesive removers with alcohol should not be used on small babies (Stephen-Haynes 2008) (Rationales 16 and 17).
The old pouch should be disposed of in a orange clinical waste bag (Rationale 18).
Clean the peristomal skin with warm water and gauze. If some residue is left on the skin from the old pouch, use a dry piece of gauze to remove it before washing. Do not use cotton wool. Ensure the skin is dried thoroughly (Rationale 19).
Prepare the new pouch. The aperture should be cut to fit snugly around the stoma with no peristomal skin exposed. A template or measuring device can be used for this (Rationale 20).
Put on the new pouch.
If a one-piece pouch is being used, fold the adhesive backwards in half, placing the pouch on the underside of the stoma first, then fl