Glossary

List of Terms

Words you may have heard, explained simply and clearly.

Candidiasis
A fungal skin infection that is known to cause severe itching. Candidiasis can occur when skin is warm and moist (e.g., when stoma fluid leaks onto peristomal skin).

Ceramide
A natural component of the human skin that links the cells of the stratum corneum together to form a waterproof protective barrier. This helps prevent water loss that can lead to skin damage and dryness.

CeraPlus skin barrier
An extended wear skin barrier that has all the basic characteristics of an ostomy skin barrier (adhesion, absorption and erosion resistance) and is infused with ceramide.

Closed pouch
A pouch without an opening at the bottom. Quick and easy to discard. It must be removed to be emptied.

Colonic Conduit
A type of urinary diversion that is not common. The principle is the same as the construction of an ileal conduit, only a segment of the large intestine (not small intestine) is used as a pipeline for urine to flow out of the body.

Colostomy
An ostomy (surgical opening) created in the colon, part of the large intestine.

ComfortWear (pouch) panels
ComfortWear (pouch) panels provide a soft cloth between the pouch film and the skin.

Convex skin barrier
May be used when the stoma does not protrude from the abdomen. The skin barrier is shaped to press more deeply around the stoma.

Cut-to-fit skin barrier
A skin barrier that can be customized to a needed size and shape. Ideal for stomas that are not round or stomas that are still changing size.

Dermatitis
Also known as allergic or irritant dermatitis, can cause persistent peristomal itching. Irritant dermatitis may be caused by chemicals (e.g., in soaps, lotions, etc.) that irritate the skin. It also can occur when the skin is exposed to stoma output. Allergic dermatitis is caused by a reaction to a specific irritant or allergen.

Double-Barrel Stoma
A stoma where two distinct stomas are created and are brought through two places in the abdominal wall.

Drainable pouch
A pouch with an opening at the bottom. An integrated closure system or plastic clamp is used to keep the pouch closed until it's time to empty it.

Filter
Lets gas but not odor out of the pouch.

Flange
The plastic ring in a two-piece ostomy system that is used to connect the skin barrier and pouch together.

Flat skin barrier
May be used when the stoma protrudes from the abdomen.

Flextend skin barrier
A synthetic skin barrier designed to be durable and the most resistant to liquid discharge. Flextend is an example of an extended wear skin barrier.

FlexWear skin barrier
A synthetic skin barrier designed to be worn more than one day. A FlexWear skin barrier is designed to be more resistant to breakdown than a SoftFlex skin barrier.

Floating flange
Type of skin barrier flange found on Hollister two-piece pouching systems that allows you to put your fingers under the skin barrier flange while attaching the pouch.

FormaFlex skin barrier
An extended wear skin barrier that can be stretched to fit the size and shape of the stoma without the use of scissors. It is a barrier option in the New Image two-piece pouching system.

Ileal Conduit
The most common type of urostomy. It is created by removing a short segment of the small intestine (ileum) and using it as a pipeline for urine to flow out of the body.

Ileal Pouch Anal Anastomosis
Also known as an ileal reservoir. After the colon is removed, the small intestine is used to create a reservoir pouch that is placed in the pelvis and connected to the anus. A temporary ileostomy is often needed while the reservoir heals.

Ileal Reservoir
Also known as iIeal pouch anal anastomosis. After the colon is removed, the small intestine is used to create a reservoir pouch that is placed in the pelvis and connected to the anus. A temporary ileostomy is often needed while the reservoir heals.

Ileostomy
A surgically created opening in the last portion of the small intestine.

Irrigation
A procedure sometimes used by individuals with a colostomy to control bowel elimination. It is not for everyone with a colostomy and requires special equipment and instruction by a knowledgeable healthcare provider.

Lock 'n Roll closure
Integrated system for closing the bottom of drainable pouches. Utilizes plastic interlocking fasteners to create a secure closure. Found on New Image and Premier drainable pouches.

Loop Stoma
A stoma where both the upstream and downstream openings of the bowel are brought out through the same place in the abdominal wall.

Medical Adhesive-Related Skin Injury (MARSI)
Skin injury related to medical adhesive usage.

Odour-barrier pouch
An odour-barrier pouch is highly resistant to letting odours pass through the pouch film. The odour-barrier quality increases confidence when wearing a pouch.

Parastomal Hernia
Protrusion of the intestine through the abdominal muscles around the stoma.

Perineal Wound
A wound that is in your perineum, the area between the anus and scrotum for males and the area between the anus and vulva for females. It heals from the inside.

Peristomal Moisure-Associated Skin Damage (PMASD)
Skin exposure to effluent from the ostomy, resulting in inflammation and erosion of the skin.

Pre-sized skin barrier
A skin barrier that is already cut to the proper size.

Peristomal Skin Complication (PSC)
Peristomal skin is the skin right around the stoma, where the ostomy skin barrier is applied. This skin is easily irritated and it's important to monitor its condition.

Pruritis
Severe itchy skin that can cause problems, even if there is no visible skin damage.

SoftFlex skin barrier
A synthetic skin barrier that provides gentle adhesive attachment to the skin. SoftFlex is designed to limit skin damage with frequent removal and can be changed daily (or more often).

Stoma
A surgically created opening connected to the gastrointestinal or urinary tract. Also known as an ostomy. The stoma is pink and moist and doesn't have feeling.

Stoma Belt
An elastic belt that that allows ostomy pouches to stay in place.

Stoma Measuring Guide
A guide that allows you to measure the size of your stoma so that your skin barrier fits correctly over it. The guide also allows you to be aware if your stoma changes sizes.

Urostomy
A surgically created opening into the urinary system; drains urine and sometimes mucus.

Urostomy pouches
Pouches with a drain valve at the bottom so urine can be emptied quickly and easily.

Wear time
Wear time is the length of time a product can be worn before failure. Wear time varies widely based upon a variety of factors.

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