All about the pre-cut ostomy systems

Pre-cut systems are essentially poches that offer a cut out open near the base, which fits the stoma itself, and it’s ideal for those with the round stoma shape and come in different types. You’ve got the flat option that will help with stomas which protrude out.  Then, there is the convex one which is used for the smaller, flatter, or the inverted stomas that are out there.

You should understand that the flat pouching system will lie flat on the skin, and the convex version will curve a little bit outward against your skin.  The outward curve will then help with improving the emptying and reduce the leakage for smaller system.

So, what are the different types of convex systems? Well, you have the cut to fit ones, which are a system that lets you cut the opening to fit the stoma. This is good for those stomas which aren’t round or have a strange shape.

You also have the precut ones, which are ones that are good for stomas with no abnormalities. These are used with a system that has different openings, but they’re already cut, so you just put it on.  You have the convex insert, which is of course some rings that are used in the flange, or a flat system.

There are also barrier strips and rings, which are molded to different shapes and sizes. You also have a custom made one, which is made specifically for one type of system, and wont’ be used anywhere else.  You might need a faceplate too, which is a reusable product that has convexity built into it.  Finally, you have binders and belts, which are used for support.

These are used in many cases to help with leakage, which is what you want to go for with the precut convex ones, and usually, you want to make sure that they are secure with their seal, so you should definitely make sure that you get the right one that fits the stoma you have.

You will need to measure the stoma in order to be fitted with the proper type of measurement so that it fits the stoma. Those who have firm, flat abdomens might use the wither flexible or nonflexible systems, depending on what you need. In that case, you might need to get one with lateral creases or folds, which is where you add the flexible systems into this. if you have a flabby abdomen, a deep crease, a retracted stoma, a stoma that’s flush or concave to the abdomen, this is definitely something that can benefit from the stoma belt.  This kind of system will press into the skin around your stoma, which causes it to protrude, which will help tighten up the skin, and of course will prevent leaks around the stoma and into the opening of the peristomal skin.

Measuring this is important, since you want something that’s large enough to not only cover the skin, but also will fit the stoma so there isn’t trauma as well, since that is a common thing.

A big thing to understand is that after 8 weeks, usually it will shrink, so you’ll want to measure once a week, and as you gain or lose weight.

You should definitely measure the system and the opening of the flange, and you should have it ideally around 3-4 mm around the edge of this, in order to provide a snug fit for this.  anything the same size or smaller will cause trauma towards your stoma.

The convex flanges have a higher risk of injury if they’re of the exact size, so make sure you measure before you do anything else.