| Time Period: Present |
| Manufacturer: Various |
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Pouches or the containment part of the ostomy system are available as a one-piece system, where the pouch is attached to the skin barrier, or as a two-piece system where the pouch is separate from the skin barrier. They are either drainable with an open-ended, tail-like design or closed-ended. Drainable pouches are emptied several times during the day of either feces or urine. A closed end pouch is non-drainable. It is removed and renewed daily. They are used primarily for management of a colostomy; however, they can be used as a preferred method over the use of a fecal drainable pouch system. In response to consumers, closed-end pouches have become smaller and contoured in design to accommodate body shape thus providing comfort physically and emotionally. They are available as a one-piece and two-piece system. The pouches are odour-proof even when full of feces or urine. The plastic pouches are light-weight, flexible, supple and almost noiseless. They are available in light and darker beige tones or grey. Transparent pouches are used primarily immediately after surgery for assessment of the stoma and effluent, and to facilitate teaching the person self-care. |