A recent patent application could provide an alternative appliance for those whose bowel output is drainable.
With similarities to a urostomy leg bag, the contents are drained not into an immediate ostomy bag but to one attached to the leg.

The disadvantages of this must surely be a risk of leakage if the tube is dislodged. But – if it works – the advantages would be a much greater choice of where to attach the bag. Maybe it could be adapted to move the bag simply to a more convenient place on the abdomen, or even a night drainage system. It could allow raw skin to heal.

You can view the application here:
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2010/0022975.html

The drawings in the PDF document give a much better idea of what it’s all about.

Is this the future? What do you think?

A colostomy patient has been featured in the latest episode of “Embarrassing Bodies” on Channel 4 television in the UK.

Despite the name of the programme, the aim of the piece was to portray ostomies in a positive light, and that a lot of the preconceived ideas people have about colostomy patients is false. The piece showed the young lady swimming with her pouch, as well as showing the viewer what today’s average colostomy pouch looks like, and also a colostomy stoma.

On the whole it was a very positively represented piece, and worthwhile viewing for anyone whom is awaiting ostomy surgery.

In case you’ve missed it, here is the full 3 minute clip for you. I’d love to know what you think about the programme’s portrayal of a stoma. Was it positive enough? Should it have featured more than one ostomate? Maybe an Ileostomate too? Or maybe it should have also shown some of the negative issues some ostomates experience after surgery, such as leakage? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please feel free to use the comments system at the end of this post.