What is Convexity? – Convex Ostomy System

The word convexity mentions the outward shape of the faceplate. The purpose is to reach the inside of the skin around the stoma to provide a high level of the seal.

Is Convexity an Important Part for Ostomy Supplies?

For the ostomates who face too much watery discharge, they need a fixed ostomy bag. Therefore, to control leakage convexity plays a vital role.

It can provide an optimal peristomal seal to the stoma. A stoma is in different shapes and sizes. It can be round, oval, or uneven. Thus, the convexity is necessary for patients who cannot use non-convex appliances. It is ideal for flat and retracted stomas. Moreover, there are different types and sizes of the convex ostomy system. They have designed to make the self-use more comfortable. The sealing provides the best protection against leakage. Thus, the patients who are physically weak and elder, they must use the convexity contain skin barriers. It provides a cozy application and removal.

Convex Ostomy System

I have mentioned in my previous blog about the flat and convex ostomy systems. However, I am repeating the convex appliance. It has a skin barrier, faceplate, and ring outward against the peristomal skin. The curve presses down on the skin of the patient and sticks out to the stoma.

Advantages of the Convex Pouching System

Here I bring you a few benefits of the convex pouching system. Every patient should consult his doctor or nurse before bringing a change in his ostomy life and appliances.

• It stops the urine.
•  It can control the leakage of stool and watery discharge.
• The sealing is secure; therefore, it makes the application comfortable.
•  It can prevent skin irritation.
•  It has an easy way of application; thus, it requires minimum time.
•  It saves you time and money.
•  As it can prevent or stop leakage; thus, it boosts your confidence and slashes down the public embarrassment.

When Should a Patient Use Convex Product?

An ostomate should use the convex product when he feels leakage of the stool or urine. In some patients, stoma empties the waste below the skin surface, then he must use the convexity contain pouch. To avoid wrinkles, scars, and creases in the skin on the peristomal.

Extra Key Points

Your WOC nurse or ET nurse should fit the convex ostomy system for the very first time. You cannot adjust it on your own for the first time only. Later on, you can because the application and use are easy. To check out the working process of the pouching appliance, you should visit your doctor. The medical staff will examine either it functions properly or not.

If you use a belt of the convex product, it can leave a mark on your abdomen. Therefore, it should not be too tight. These are usually comfortable and flexible equipment; however, a few are less than non-convex items.

Some convex products are expensive; however, if your wear time is longer, then no worries. But, you have to change the system, again and again, then, it is costly for you.

Before using the convex products, consult your WOC nurse. As this is not the only solution for the leakage. Wear the convex ostomy system after the recommendation of your doctor.

When Should you Wear the Convex Ostomy System?

The ostomates should wear the convex pouch for the two months from excretion. They should wear after the stoma reaches to its normal size.

Moreover, a patient should wear the convex ostomy pouch in the following cases:

• When they have a retracted stoma.
•  When they have a flush or peristomal skin level stoma.
• When they have a high level of leakage.
• When a patient’s stoma forms a loop in the bowel.
• When an ostomate has wrinkles, scars, and creases.
•   When a patient has a flimsy abdomen.

What is a Pre-Cut Ostomy System?

An ostomy system includes all the accessories required for ostomates. The ostomy supplies include stoma bag or pouch, adhesive, wafer, wipes, and a few more instruments to cover and collect the discharge. However, there are several types of ostomy systems or bags. A pre-cut is one of the kinds of ostomy systems. In this system, there is a cut-opening in the container. Moreover, it has made according to the size of around stomas. It is adjustable to the size of the stoma. There are two types of pre-cut ostomy systems.

• Flat pre-cut ostomy system.
• Convex pre-cut ostomy system.

The Flat Pre-Cut Ostomy System

This pouching system is the best solution for the ostomates who have jutted out stomas. The poked out opening outwards at least one-inch such patients should use a flat pre-cut ostomy system. This pouch lies flat on the peristomal skin.

Convex Pre-Cut Ostomy System

The convex pre-cut ostomy system is the best solution for small, inverted, and flatter stomas. For all these shapes, an ostomate should wear a convex pre-cut pouch. It has a skin barrier, faceplate, and ring curve. It pastes the convex bag; the patient has to press the ring curve down towards the skin. Then, the convex pre-cut pouch will stick to the stoma and can better perform the duty (empty the discharge).

Types of Convex Pre-Cut Ostomy System

The following are the different types of convex system:

Cut-to-Fit Convex Pouching System

Cut-to-fit convex is available in two-piece and one-piece ostomy systems. The best part of this pouch is it permits you to make a cut opening in the skin barrier. Due to the cut, it can properly adjust and fit the stoma. For round stomas, this is an ideal system.

Precut Convex Pouching System

The precut convex is available in various sizes. The opening in the skin barrier is suitable for every shape of the stoma. Moreover, it has one-piece and two-piece ostomy bags.

Convex Insert

The convex insert is a two-piece pouch, a product of a pre-cut ostomy system. It has pre-sized plastic rings. These have used in the flanges of the flat bags.

Barrier Strips or Rings

The barrier strips or rings are the flexible products of ostomy pouching system. You can adjust and modify the shape and size of the ring. According to the size of the stoma, you can change it.

Custom-made Convex Product

A patient’s choice of convex ostomy bag is a custom-made product. The company makes the pouch with built-in convexity especially for you.

Faceplate

The faceplate pre-cut ostomy bag is a reusable product. Moreover. It has made with the built-in convexity.

Ostomy Belts and Binders

Ostomy belts and binders have made to give some extra support to the patient and the pouching system.

The elder or weak (arthritis patients) patients should use the pre-cut convex. It is friendly and easy to apply. Every ostomate regardless of age and physical ability can use it on his own. You will not seek anyone’s help for the use of a pre-cut ostomy bag. Moreover, the adjustment of the product is just perfect. You will face no leakage issue with the pre-cut bag. Well, the paramount point to note down is, you should maintain and establish predictable sealing.

How to Choose a Perfect Pre-cut Pouching System?

The vital point is to measure your stoma. Before selecting a pouching system, you should know the shape and size of your hole in the abdomen. The ostomates who have flat and firm bellies, you select wither flexible with bordered paper tape system or non-flexible with full skin barrier wafer pouches.

However, the ostomates with flabby or creases abdomens should choose the convex system.