Using a Novel Breathable Silicone Gel in Stomal and Peristomal Skin Management

Background: Ostomy accessory items such as hydrocolloid pastes, barrier strips and rings are commonly used in both prevention and management of peristomal skin alterations caused by abdominal topography (e.g. creases, folds or parastomal hernias) and stomal complications (e.g. mucocutaneous separation). Traditionally composed of hydrocolloid materials combined with an adhesive, these are associated with skin stripping, and often lead to residual material on the skin.¹

Additionally, hydrocolloid materials swell as they absorb moisture and adversely impacting skin health. While soft silicone has been used in wound management, the leap to its use in ostomy accessories has been limited to barrier wipes.

Recent advances in biomaterial technologies, soft silicone is available in a gel formulation to address these issues.^2-4

Objective: This practice innovation reports the application and evaluation of transitioning to soft silicone gel* from traditional hydrocolloid accessories for the use in the management of patients with stomal complications and/or abdominal topography challenges

Method: A soft silicone gel was evaluated on patients with deep abdominal topography creases and in patients with mucocutaneous separation as an alternative to traditional hydrocolloid accessory items.

Outcomes: Use of soft silicone gel alone or with traditional hydrocolloid materials prolongs faceplate weartime, allows visualization of stomal complications such as mucocutaneous separation, prevents the buildup of residual materials on the skin, and decreases pain, supporting reports in the literature.^3,4