Inside Out (Mar/Apr 2002)

Selecting Urostomy Equipment

When might a one-piece work better than a two-piece?

When the patient's eyesight is poor or if their hands are shaky.
When the patient is a youngster who is just learning to care for himself/herself.
When the new patient is depressed or uninterested and clearly will not be bothered with assembling anything.
When the stoma is flush with the skin and a particular one-piece appliance offers the proper convexity in the faceplate for obtaining the best seal.

When might a two-piece be better?

When the patient wants to put the faceplate over the stoma first, which allows them to be sure that the stoma is correctly centered. (This is particularly helpful when the stoma is irregular in shape and the faceplate opening has been tailored to fit.)
When it is necessary to provide a very small faceplate to avoid contours such as scarring, depressions, or high spots on or near the surrounding area. There are manufacturers who make pouches to meet those needs as well.
For situations where a particular two-piece offers less silhouette or bulge under clothing.
When the doctor or the patient wants the pouch to be changed daily for cleaning. With a two-piece, this can be accomplished with ease while the flange remains securely in place on the body.