1. < Ostomy

Stoma for removing Ascites fluid

Posted by jrcarls @jrcarls, Nov 30, 2022

Has anyone ever used a stoma as a port for removing Ascites fluid from the abdomen?
My wife has stage four cirrhosis and kidney disease. We’ve been going to our local hospital now about every two weeks to have the Ascites fluid removed. My wife gained 10.5 lbs. before the last procedure. As most of you know the burden of going through this is no picnic!
During or after the last para​cen​te​ses procedure, the catheter injection site wouldn’t stop leaking fluid after the procedure. We discovered this after we returned home, my wife wondering why her clothes over the catheter injection site was wet. The doctor told us if this ever happens to lay on your side so the injection site is elevated. We did this, applied the required bandaid, but the site continued leaking. So the next day after trying liquid bandaid, the site continued leaking. Went to the hospital ER. They placed a Colostomy bag over the catheter incision area to catch the fluid. It worked! Yes…I emptied the bag daily removing an average of 12-14 oz./day of Ascites fluid for the next five days (approx. 1.65 liters) until the site ultimately sealed on its own.
Our Home Health Care service removed the colostomy bag and disinfected and placed a bandage over the site.
Has anyone ever experienced this issue?
Additionally, I’m thinking if a stoma port could be inserted in the required area to collect and remove the Ascites fluid, the procedure would alleviate the patient from having to go through the para​cen​te​ses procedure. In other words, the patient (or as I did for my wife) could empty the colostomy bag as needed. Or, if the patient has a Home Health Care service, they could perhaps assist with the daily procedure.
Just wanted to throw this out there for discussion.

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Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Dec 2, 2022

@jrcarls, I want to welcome you to Mayo Connect.
I have had my share of paracentesis procedures before my transplant.
At that time, I had end stage liver failure due to Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) and I was on dialysis for acute kidney failure. Between February and mid April of 2009, I needed one about every 8-10 days. These were performed at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester where I was a patient and staying at the Gift of Life Transplant House which was a few blocks from the Mayo Clinic. It was convenient for us to take the transport shuttle to the Clinic, and for my husband to push me in a wheelchair to the treatment area. I did not have leaking at Mayo,. However, on one occasion, after I had been transferred to Mayo from an out-of-state ICU unit, I had a stick-on bag attached to catch the drainage. That one did leak and the nurses changed it several times. I was too sick to remember what they used or for how long. But I do remember wondering how I got wet!
- For anyone unfamiliar with this topic:
Ascites is the buildup of fluid in your belly, often due to severe liver disease. The extra fluid makes your belly swell. And a Paracentesis is a medical procedure that drains fluid from a person’s abdominal cavity.

Jrcarls, I have never heard of a stoma being used for ascites treatment. My guess as a patient, is that a paracentesis is a simple procedure that requires a needle, while a stoma would be a more complicated procedure.
@digibson, @marinab, @cybele65, gaylea1, I am inviting you to this discussion. What would you like to add from your ascites experience?

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Dec 6, 2022

@jrcarls, How is your wife? You have mentioned that she has both liver cirrhosis and kidney disease. Is she a candidate for a transplant? Will she need dialysis? I had both liver and kidney failure. I was on dialysis until my transplant. I'm here if you have any questions.

REPLY
jrcarls | @jrcarls | Dec 13, 2022
In reply to @rosemarya "@jrcarls, I want to welcome you to Mayo Connect. I have had my share of paracentesis..." + (show)
@rosemarya

@jrcarls, I want to welcome you to Mayo Connect.
I have had my share of paracentesis procedures before my transplant.
At that time, I had end stage liver failure due to Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) and I was on dialysis for acute kidney failure. Between February and mid April of 2009, I needed one about every 8-10 days. These were performed at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester where I was a patient and staying at the Gift of Life Transplant House which was a few blocks from the Mayo Clinic. It was convenient for us to take the transport shuttle to the Clinic, and for my husband to push me in a wheelchair to the treatment area. I did not have leaking at Mayo,. However, on one occasion, after I had been transferred to Mayo from an out-of-state ICU unit, I had a stick-on bag attached to catch the drainage. That one did leak and the nurses changed it several times. I was too sick to remember what they used or for how long. But I do remember wondering how I got wet!
- For anyone unfamiliar with this topic:
Ascites is the buildup of fluid in your belly, often due to severe liver disease. The extra fluid makes your belly swell. And a Paracentesis is a medical procedure that drains fluid from a person’s abdominal cavity.

Jrcarls, I have never heard of a stoma being used for ascites treatment. My guess as a patient, is that a paracentesis is a simple procedure that requires a needle, while a stoma would be a more complicated procedure.
@digibson, @marinab, @cybele65, gaylea1, I am inviting you to this discussion. What would you like to add from your ascites experience?

Jump to this post

Sorry it’s taken so long to reply. On Friday, December 2, my wife had a followup appointment with her nephrologist. After reviewing her labs he told us she needed to be immediately admitted to the hospital for a complete work up, as she was in complete kidney failure due to her cirrhosis of the liver. After spending four days in the hospital the kidney and liver team told us she needed a liver transplant to survive. As my wife is 76 years of age, and very sick and sick of it all, she at this time has rejected any idea of a liver transplant.
My wife just got out of the hospital last Tuesday, December 6. She was dismissed is presently under
Hospice care. We covet your prayers.

REPLY
3 replies
Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Dec 13, 2022
In reply to @jrcarls "Sorry it’s taken so long to reply. On Friday, December 2, my wife had a followup..." + (show)
@jrcarls

Sorry it’s taken so long to reply. On Friday, December 2, my wife had a followup appointment with her nephrologist. After reviewing her labs he told us she needed to be immediately admitted to the hospital for a complete work up, as she was in complete kidney failure due to her cirrhosis of the liver. After spending four days in the hospital the kidney and liver team told us she needed a liver transplant to survive. As my wife is 76 years of age, and very sick and sick of it all, she at this time has rejected any idea of a liver transplant.
My wife just got out of the hospital last Tuesday, December 6. She was dismissed is presently under
Hospice care. We covet your prayers.

Jump to this post

@jrcarls, I am sorry to learn of your wife's critical health condition. Having struggled with end stage liver failure and kidney failure myself at a younger age, I can understand her decision. I know that this was not an easy decision for either of you. She is blessed by your presence and I hope you can find comfort in being at her side. Hospice care team will help her and you to get through the next days and hours.

I'm saying prayers for peace and love to be with your wife, with you, and with your loved ones during this time.
Rosemary

REPLY
1 reply
jrcarls | @jrcarls | Dec 13, 2022
In reply to @rosemarya "@jrcarls, I am sorry to learn of your wife's critical health condition. Having struggled with end..." + (show)
@rosemarya

@jrcarls, I am sorry to learn of your wife's critical health condition. Having struggled with end stage liver failure and kidney failure myself at a younger age, I can understand her decision. I know that this was not an easy decision for either of you. She is blessed by your presence and I hope you can find comfort in being at her side. Hospice care team will help her and you to get through the next days and hours.

I'm saying prayers for peace and love to be with your wife, with you, and with your loved ones during this time.
Rosemary

Jump to this post

Thank you for your very thoughtful and kind reply.

REPLY
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Dec 13, 2022
In reply to @jrcarls "Sorry it’s taken so long to reply. On Friday, December 2, my wife had a followup..." + (show)
@jrcarls

Sorry it’s taken so long to reply. On Friday, December 2, my wife had a followup appointment with her nephrologist. After reviewing her labs he told us she needed to be immediately admitted to the hospital for a complete work up, as she was in complete kidney failure due to her cirrhosis of the liver. After spending four days in the hospital the kidney and liver team told us she needed a liver transplant to survive. As my wife is 76 years of age, and very sick and sick of it all, she at this time has rejected any idea of a liver transplant.
My wife just got out of the hospital last Tuesday, December 6. She was dismissed is presently under
Hospice care. We covet your prayers.

Jump to this post

Hello @jrcarls

I am sorry to hear of your wife's health problems. I see that she is now under hospice care. I know that hospice is a great organization, that will offer both you and your wife wonderful support. The support that hospice offers will be physical support as well as emotional and spiritual support.

Please know that you both have my prayers. Will you continue to post as you can?

REPLY
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Dec 13, 2022
In reply to @jrcarls "Sorry it’s taken so long to reply. On Friday, December 2, my wife had a followup..." + (show)
@jrcarls

Sorry it’s taken so long to reply. On Friday, December 2, my wife had a followup appointment with her nephrologist. After reviewing her labs he told us she needed to be immediately admitted to the hospital for a complete work up, as she was in complete kidney failure due to her cirrhosis of the liver. After spending four days in the hospital the kidney and liver team told us she needed a liver transplant to survive. As my wife is 76 years of age, and very sick and sick of it all, she at this time has rejected any idea of a liver transplant.
My wife just got out of the hospital last Tuesday, December 6. She was dismissed is presently under
Hospice care. We covet your prayers.

Jump to this post

@jrcarls, I'd like to hold you, your wife and family in my thoughts as well. Please know that hospice will take care of your wife's comfort and medical needs, allowing you to be her husband and caring partner, so you can focus on your time together. Hospice staff are also there for you, now and later - to answer questions, to help explain what you might prepare for, and to offer comfort and support.

Should you need to talk, ask for extra prayers, or anything, just post a message. We're all here. Consider us to be the virtual shoulder to lean on any time of day or night.

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