A high-output enterocutaneous fistula or ostomy may produce two to seven liters of effluent per day which can be devastating to the skin and can cause pain, infection and emotional isolation.
Using a belted ostomy pouch with Fistula Solution devices can be a good effluent management option, particularly when:
- The perifistula topography of a patients body, creases, or scars make adhesive pouching difficult, or
- Ostomy pouches will not adhere to excoriated and weeping peristomal skin.
In these cases intestinal effluent can cause further irritation and wound formation of perifistula skin. To seal and protect the skin from effluent, Fistula Solution devices can be compressed around the patient’s enteric fistula or ostomy with a belted pouching system.
The following "how-to" steps illustrate the use of the Fistula Funnel in these challenging situations.
1. Tailor the Fistula Funnel by cutting along the exterior scribe line to form a skirt. The skirt will help form a good seal around the fistula or ostomy and protect the surrounding skin from effluent.
2. Check the fit of the tailored Fistula Funnel to ensure it will seal when compressed to the surface of the body.
The visible portion of the compression area is indicated by the yellow shape.
3. Center fistula or stoma in opening and compress the device. The fistula or stoma should be visible through the device opening after placement on the patient.
4. Apply a belted ostomy pouch appliance to compress the device to seal and protect skin and capture intestinal effluent.
This technique can be used to protect the skin from effluent and enable healing when other methods may not work and can dramatically improve quality of life for the patient.
