Having an ostomy means you will need to rely on ostomy supplies to manage your waste evacuations. The most important item among all other ostomy supplies is the ostomy pouch, which consists of a flange and a bag. The flange fits over the stoma and sticks to the skin around it while the bag collects waste materials.

Depending on the type of ostomy, you are going to have to make sure to select the right ostomy supplies. In this article, we will discuss two types of ostomy pouches – drainable and closed – to help you make the best selection.

Drainable ostomy pouch

• Drainable ostomy pouches are open-ended ostomy bags. These pouches have a tail, which has an open bottom. This open bottom remains closed with the help of a closure system, which is usually a clip or clamp. The most significant advantage of using this bag is that you can remove the closure system to drain waste materials without taking the entire ostomy appliance off. After draining waste materials out, you have to use the same closure system to seal the bottom.
• Your doctor will recommend you to use this pouch if your waste material is liquid or pasty. It is not the ideal option to manage hard stools.
• This bag tends to remain on your belly for a longer duration compared to a bag with a closed bottom.
• This pouch is easy to empty and clean before you dispose of it.
• The ideal practice is to empty this pouch when it is one-third to half full.

A drainable ostomy pouch is ideal for people with ileostomies or ones who deal with the more frequent and watery stomal output. Attaching a specialized closeable drainage tap or valve turns it into a urostomy bag.

Closed pouch

• These pouches are made for one-time use only, which means that once a closed ostomy pouch is full, you are going to have to dispose of it.
• With no open bottom, you cannot empty or reuse this pouch. If you are concerned about your high-output stoma, you may use a drainable ostomy pouch. There is a way you can reuse this pouch, but it is not that simple. You can use a liner, which you can insert into the ostomy pouch through the hole that snaps on the ostomy barrier element. If it is a one-piece closed pouch, there is no way you can insert a liner.
• A closed pouch is a preferred option for individuals who engage in physical activities and swimming. You can attach it quickly before the physical activity.
• This ostomy bag is better suited for managing fully-formed stools.
• Replacing a used closed pouch with a new one is a convenient procedure.

This pouch works best when your stoma doesn’t produce a high amount of output. This way, you will not have to change your ostomy pouch more than twice a day.

Both these pouching systems work well, given that you are using them right when they are required. If you are confused while the pouching system you should consider, you may want to speak to your ostomy care nurse to get the most appropriate suggestion.