The Ultimate Guide Of Colostomy Bag Size
Table of Contents
One of the most important postoperative care steps for stoma patients is to correctly choose the colostomy bag size that suits them. The matching degree between the Colostomy bag size and the stoma shape determines whether it can effectively prevent leakage, protect the skin and improve the quality of life.
Zodelo is well aware that the colostomy bag is of vital importance to stoma patients. Therefore, we take customer experience as the benchmark and are committed to developing the highest quality and safest colostomy bags to enable users to enjoy a more comfortable and reassuring life. Meanwhile, Zodelo also provides you with the most comprehensive and detailed information on ostomy care. This article will bring you the ultimate guide of colostomy bag size to help you deeply understand the key points of choosing colostomy bag size.
Understanding Ostomy Bags and Pouching Systems
1. What is an ostomy bag and pouching system?
When you want to know colostomy bag size. First of all, you have to understand what is a colostomy bag. The colostomy bag is a medical device specially designed for patients undergoing stoma surgery, used to collect the excrement discharged from the stoma. When there is inflammation, cancer or trauma in the patient’s intestines or anus. If the patient is unable to defecate normally, the doctor will connect a part of the patient’s own colon to the abdominal wall and make an incision in the abdomen. Feces can be discharged into the colostomy bag through the stoma. Colostomy can help replace the original excretory function, assist patients in maintaining normal metabolism and a normal life. The colostomy bag can collect the excreted feces and urine, effectively protect the skin around the stoma, and help patients maintain personal hygiene and cleanliness for a long time.
2. Types of Colostomy Bags
When you want to know colostomy bag size. First of all, you have to understand types of colostomy bags.
One piece colostomy bag:
The bottom of the one-piece colostomy bag is connected to the bag body and cannot be separated. It can be used as a whole. When replacing, just tear it off as a whole directly. Simple to do, with few steps, convenient and fast.
Two piece colostomy bag:
The base of the two-piece colostomy bag is separated from the bag body and connected together through a mechanical coupling system. The Skin barrier can adhere to the skin and be reused many times. When changing, only the bag body needs to be replaced, which can reduce the irritation to the skin caused by frequent changes and base tearing. It is more skin-friendly and more economical.
Drainable colostomy bag:
There is an opening at the bottom of the Drainable colostomy bag for discharging excrement. It can be reused many times after being emptied. It doesn’t need to be replaced frequently, reduces irritation to the stoma, is more skin-friendly and economical.
Closed-end colostomy bag:
The bottom of the Closed-end colostomy bag is sealed and cannot be discharged. Single-use, discard after use, convenient and fast, no need to empty or clean, simple to operate.
3. Types of Colostomy Bags Skin Barrier
- Convex Skin Barrier
The raised part in the middle exerts light pressure on the skin around the stoma. It helps to enhance the sealing between the stoma base and the skin, preventing leakage. It is suitable for patients with flat stoma, slight depression, and uneven or wrinkled skin around the stoma.
This is the most common type of skin barrier. The surface of the flat skin barrier is smooth and can be directly adhered to the skin. It is suitable for cases where the stoma protrudes and the surrounding skin is flat without any depressions.
- Cut-to-Fit Skin Barrier
It can be cut according to the shape of the stoma. It is suitable for patients with irregular stoma shapes or those who have just undergone surgery.
- Pre-cut Skin Barrier
The opening size is fixed, eliminating the need for additional cutting and making replacement simpler and more convenient. It is suitable for long-term users with stable stoma dimensions.
- Malleable Skin Barrier
The moldable skin barrier can be stretched and shaped. For some patients, the stoma shape is irregular. This barrier can be freely shaped and perfectly fit the skin around the stoma, thereby enhancing the sealing performance, protecting the skin and reducing leakage.
4. Who needs is a colostomy bag?
- Flange:Commonly found in two-piece pouch systems, it is a snap-on connecting ring that links the baseplate to the collection bag. The Flange can effectively ensure the tight connection and sealing between the bag body and the base, prevent leakage and odor, and at the same time facilitate the replacement of the bag body. Sturdy, with a “click” sound to confirm the seal, suitable for patients who frequently change the bag body but do not want to change the chassis frequently.
- Wafer:It is a “skin protective pad” that comes into direct contact with the skin. It has the characteristics of stickiness, softness and cuttability.
- Skin Barrier: It is a skin protective film that adheres to the skin around the stoma, forming a seal to prevent stoma excrement from irritating the skin. “Skin barrier” is a functional term, emphasizing the role of protecting the skin and preventing leakage.
- Baseplate:Equivalent to the Wafer (Skin Barrier) + Flange of the two-piece pouch system. It is a complete structure.
Understanding the colostomy bag size
1. What is colostomy bag size?
The Colostomy bag size usually consists of two parts:
- Opening/Cutting size: It refers to the hole diameter that the chassis needs to be cut to fit the diameter or shape of the stoma. It is generally measured in millimeters, for example, the adjustable range is 25 to 45 millimeters. It is divided into pre-cut type (fixed aperture) and cut-able type (cut-able).
- Colostomy bag size/Capacity: Colostomy bag size is often divided into small, medium, and Large size.
Colostomy bag size | Capacity | Applicable circumstances |
Small size | 150–300ml | Daily activities, short-term outings, and high demands for concealment |
Medium size | 300–500ml | The most common one is to balance concealment and capacity |
Large size | 500–800ml | Those who use it at night, have a large amount of excretion, or during the postoperative stage |
2. How to Properly Size Your Stoma for the Correct Colostomy Bag Size?
- Step 1: Prepare the required measuring tools: stoma measuring ruler, stoma scissors, cleaning cotton pads and warm water, mirror.
- Step 2: Clean the stoma and the surrounding skin: Keeping the area around the stoma dry is conducive to precise measurement.
- Step 3: Put a measuring ruler over the stoma. Measure from the root of the stoma and maintain a natural fit.
- Step 4:If the stoma is oval-shaped, do not measure only a single size. If it is 28mm horizontally and 32mm vertically. Then the holes in the chassis should be cut into an elliptical shape of 28 × 32mm.
- Step 5: The cutting diameter should be 1 to 2 mm larger than the stoma diameter. Avoid rubbing the stoma and reduce the infiltration of excrement at the same time.
3. Why Choosing the Right Colostomy Bag Size Matters
From the perspective of clinical stoma care, an inappropriate colostomy bag size can bring multiple risks and complications.
- Leakage Prevention
If the bottom hole is too large, excrement will continuously contaminate and irritate the skin, leading to redness, swelling, itching, erosion and even exudative dermatitis.
If the undercarriage hole is too small, it will continuously rub against the skin, causing damage or bleeding of the stoma mucosa.
- Protect the skin
The correct colostomy bag size can reduce skin irritation, decrease the possibility of leakage, and lower the probability of eczema, inflammation and ulceration.
Keep wearing comfortably and safely
The Colostomy bag size fits well and can avoid the risks of leakage, friction with the skin, shaking during exercise or peeling off.
- Extend the service life of the skin barrier and reduce the cost
Reducing leakage and warping can significantly enhance the adhesive performance and lower the frequency of use.
4. Choosing the Right Colostomy Bag Based on Your Stoma Size Needs
a. Select a skin barrier that matches the size of the stoma
- Flat stoma: Optional flat skin barrier
- Stoma retraction/indentation: A convex skin barrier can be selected to enhance sealing
- If there are wrinkles or scars on the skin around the stoma: A convex base can be selected to prevent leakage.
b. Choose a bag type that suits your lifestyle
- Small-capacity colostomy bag: Suitable for socializing, short outings, and sports.
- Medium-capacity colostomy bag: Suitable for daily use and when the amount of stool is moderate.
- Large-capacity colostomy bag: Suitable for use at night, during heavy bowel movements, and during periods of diarrhea.
5. Common Mistakes to Avoid When Selecting a Colostomy Bag Size
- Error 1: The aperture of the skinbarrier was cut too large.
It is prone to leakage and can irritate the skin, leading to eczema. The correct approach: When cutting the skin barrier aperture, only reserve 1 to 2 mm.
- Error 2: Using an old-sized template
The stoma shape will change and the old size will no longer be applicable.
The correct approach is to remeasure the diameter of the stoma regularly.
- Error 3: Ignoring the differences in stoma morphology
For instance, an elliptical stoma uses a round-hole chassis, while a concave stoma uses a flat chassis. It is prone to cause leakage.
The correct approach: For external protruding stoma, use a flat skin barrier; for flat or retracted stoma, a convex skin barrier is suitable.
How to Care for the Skin Around Your Stoma
- When cleaning, just wash your skin with warm water. Avoid using alcohol, body wash or scented wipes, as these may irritate the skin.
- When wiping, do not apply force. Just wipe gently. The skin around the stoma is relatively fragile. Excessive force may cause a stoma abrasion.
- Adjust the size of the baseplatecorrectly to avoid it being too large or too small, which may cause leakage or friction. When used in combination with sealing rings or leak-proof paste, it can enhance the sealing performance and reduce the risk of leakage.
- Be sure to check in advance and pay attention to preventing leakage in the coloostomy bag.
When to Call a Doctor?
When the following situations occur, medical treatment must be sought promptly to prevent the condition from deteriorating further:
- Sudden severe abdominal pain, vomiting, abdominal distension and other symptoms may indicate intestinal obstruction.
- If the color of the stoma turns deep purple or black, it may indicate insufficient blood supply to the stoma or stoma necrosis.
- Massive bleeding at the stoma or abdominal wall incision.
- Persistent high fever.
- Severe prolapse of the stoma can affect defecation function.
- The skin may experience symptoms such as itching, pain, erosion and exudation.
Where can I get help choosing the right colostomy bag?
Zodelo, as a professional urostomy bag manufacturer, We offer a comprehensive product line from entry-level to premium: Airlora Series, Calmlora Series, Mellora Series, Joylora Series and Ostomy Product Accessories.—there’s always one that fits your daily routine.
We also had ISO13485, CE, and FDA certifications, bring you the most reassuring and high-quality ostomy care.
We will also provide the most high-quality customer service and after-sales service. Helping you correct understanding of colostomy bag size and standardized measurement methods
FAQs about More Resources about colostomy bag size
How often should I change my colostomy bag?
One-piece colostomy bag system is recommended to be replaced every 1 to 3 days. The Two-piece colostomy bag system suggests that the chassis be replaced every 3 to 5 days. The bag body should be replaced according to one’s own defecation condition and frequency.
It is recommended to replace it immediately if the following situations occur:
- There is leakage and a strong unpleasant smell.
- The skin is damp, red, swollen and itchy.
- The edge of the Skin barrier is lifted or loosened after contact with water.
- The volume of defecation was particularly large, causing the bag to be too heavy and sag.
Q2. What to do when colostomy pouch keeps leaking?
If the colostomy bag continues to leak, the first step is to check the cause of the leakage. Replace the stoma bag with a new one to prevent the skin around the stoma from getting infected due to continuous fecal contamination.
If the air leakage is caused by an inappropriate size of the skin barrier, the diameter of the stoma needs to be remeasured to ensure that the opening of the base plate is 1-2 millimeters larger than the air hole. Avoid having the opening diameter of the chassis too large or too small to prevent air leakage or friction with the skin.
At the same time, when replacing, use stoma care products such as sealing rings and sealing pastes to enhance sealing performance and prevent leakage.
If leakage persists, medical attention must be sought promptly to prevent the stoma condition from deteriorating further.
Q3. What happens if my colostomy bag is too small?
- Friction of the stoma mucosa: causes pain and bleeding. The stoma is a fragile mucosal tissue. Squeezing the orifice can cause redness, swelling, abrasions of the stoma, or continuous bleeding.
- Stoma edema or morphological changes: Long-term compression can lead to stoma swelling, protrusion or retraction.
- Increased risk of leakage: The hole diameter is too small, and the chassis cannot be completely sealed, which can easily cause leakage and odor problems.
- Skin damage around the stoma: After the excrement continuously contaminates and irritates the skin, it may cause skin stinging, erosion or exudation. Severe cases can lead to skin inflammation or other complications. If the condition is serious, it is necessary to go to the hospital for treatment in time.
Q4.Do colostomy bags come in different sizes?
Yes. Colostomy bags are available in various sizes and shapes in clinical practice to accommodate different types of stoma morphology, excrement characteristics, and living needs.
Opening size of Skin barrier:
- 15–25 mm
- 20–35 mm
- 35–50 mm
- 45–70 mm
Skin barrier type:
- Convex skin barrier
- Flat skin barrier
- Cut-to-fit skin barrier
- Pre-cut skin barrier
- Malleable skin barrier
Q5. Is a colostomy bag permanent?
Whether a colostomy bag is permanent depends on the type of disease, specific circumstances and the patient’s health condition. It is generally divided into temporary colostomy and permanent colostomy.
- Temporary colostomy is suitable for certain diseases that temporarily need to bypass the intestine. After the intestinal function recovers, a colostomy can be surgical-removed to allow free defecation.
- Permanent colostomy is suitable for some irreversible colorectal cancers or intestinal necrosis. It requires the removal of the diseased intestine, so it is impossible to use the intestine forever. Therefore, colostomy bags need to be worn for life.
Conclusion - colostomy bag size
Correct understanding of colostomy bag size and standardized measurement methods is a key skill for every colostomy patient to improve their quality of life. Correctly understanding colostomy bag size is not only a new starting point for a healthy life, but also the beginning of a confident and comfortable life. Therefore, each patient needs to understand the colostomy bag size and the standard measurement method, and care for the stoma in a scientific and reasonable way.
At Zodelo, every step from material selection to research and development adheres to one belief: to reduce users’ troubles and enhance their comfort. Zodelo will always be by your side, providing you with the most comfortable, safe and reassuring stoma care products.
More Resources about colostomy bag size
- A Guide to Ostomy Bags and Pouching Systems– uchicagomedicine
- Colostomy– clevelandclinic
- Ostomy: Adapting to life after colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy— Mayoclinic
- Guide To Buy Colostomy Bags– Zodelo
- How To Care For Colostomy Pouch – zodelo
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