Outward body profiles
How common are they and what are the challenges for this group of patients?
Around one third of people living with a stoma have an outward peristomal body profile due to curves and bulges
Around one third of people living with a stoma have an outward peristomal body profile due to curves and bulges. Data from our Ostomy Life Study 2016/2017 shows that these patients have very specific challenges in dealing with their situation. In this section, we share insights on what these challenges are and how to best support this group of patients.
What the data shows about people with an outward peristomal body profile
Many circumstances contribute to making it difficult for individuals with an outward peristomal body profile to obtain a proper ostomy product fit. For one, the curved shape of the area makes it difficult to obtain a tight seal and proper adherence of the baseplate – even when the ostomy location is perfect. Moreover, outward areas come in many different sizes, making it difficult to point to one solution suitable for all.
When you add to this the fact that people with an outward peristomal body profile experience a large negative impact on their quality of life, it is clear that there is good reason to focus more on these individuals, both in terms of research and product innovation.
Peristomal areas can develop both early and late following stoma surgery
It is most common (50%) for outward areas to develop within the first 6 months after surgery. However, for almost a third of people (30%) with outward peristomal body profiles, the area didn’t develop until more than a year after surgery.
People with outward peristomal body profiles use more accessories
Similar to inward peristomal body profiles, outward peristomal areas require more accessories to obtain proper fit and care.
Peristomal body profiles are challenged by body movement
Our findings show that people with outward peristomal body profiles experience that movements of the body as well as static body positions have an impact on the skin around the stoma.
Boost your knowledge
If you want to learn more about outward body profiles and the challenges that people with this type of peristomal profile deal with, there’s much more to explore in this section. Scroll down to get the latest insights on this important topic – and download the tools and guidelines that can help improve quality of life for your patients.
Have the needs of people with outward peristomal body profiles been overlooked?
Around one third of people living with a stoma have an outward peristomal body profile. Data from our Ostomy Life Study 2016/2017 shows that these patients have very specific challenges in dealing with their situation. This article tells you what they are – and what you can do to help this group of patients deal with them.
Living with a parastomal bulge: the patients’ perspective
Very little is known about the effect a parastomal bulge has on a patient’s quality of life. In this article, we share the results of a qualitative study that looks into exactly that – from the patient’s perspective.
How much do we know about peristomal bulges?
As part of the Ostomy Life Study 2016, we conducted a literature review of existing research on peristomal bulges. The objective of this study was to uncover whether or not there is robust scientific evidence to support some of the wide-held beliefs about the cause and management of an outward peristomal body profile or peristomal bulge. Get a good overview of what’s fact and what’s fiction in this article.
Treating parastomal hernias: the surgical perspective
If development of a parastomal hernia is relatively common amongst people living with an ostomy, the question arises, is that a problem? And, if so, does it call for surgical intervention? This article presents an overview of the surgical options for treating parastomal hernias, and explores the role nurses can play in helping patients make informed decisions.
Meet the experts
Coloplast Talks presents an entire catalogue of short videos on key topics across the fields of chronic care. Each video is based on keynote presentations given by leading experts at our symposia, congresses and events. In this section, we’ve collected Talks that address the topics of complicated stomas and outward peristomal profiles.
Living with a complicated stoma
Watch Rachel change the pouch on her ileostomy and hear her share her experience of what it’s like to live with a complicated stoma.
Rachel Jury, (Blogger, Bournemouth, UK) and Terri Porrett (Head of Education Ostomy Division, Coloplast UK).
Ostomy Days 2018, Copenhagen
How does a parastomal bulge impacts a patient’s life?
Join Marianne as she shares the highlights from her research on how a parastomal bulge impacts a patient’s quality of life.
Marianne Krogsgaard (PhD Student, MHS, RN, Abdominal Centre, Rigshospitalet, Denmark).
Ostomy Days 2018, Copenhagen
Surgical techniques for parastomal hernias
Watch and learn as leading surgeon, Dr. Peter-Martin Krarup introduces the surgical techniques used for treating and preventing parastomal hernias.
Peter-Martin Krarup, MD, Colerectal surgeon and consultant at Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark.
Ostomy Days 2018, Copenhagen
Download tools and guidelines
In this section, we provide you with the tools and guidelines you and your patients need to understand their body profile and choose the product that creates the right fit.
Peristomal body profile assessment tool
Healthcare professionals with extensive experience in the field of stoma care all agree that a correct assessment of the peristomal body profiles is key to finding the right product solution for the patient. The peristomal body assessment tool can help you define your patient’s peristomal body profile and identify the right ostomy solution.
The BodyCheck tool
The BodyCheck tool supports people with a stoma in understanding their individual body profile and finding the product solution that will give them the best possible fit. Download the tool here.
The Ostomy Life Study Review 2016/17
In this Ostomy Life Study Review, we focus on peristomal body profiles. The issue shares insight on the challenges that people with different peristomal body profiles experience and provides recommendations on how to help patients deal with them. Introducing the Body Profile Terminology, the issue also reflects on the importance of a having a standard terminology to describe the peristomal area, so we can improve knowledge sharing on treatments and leakage prevention.