Perianal Maceration in Pediatric Ostomy Closure Patients

After consent, participants will be assigned to either a treatment group or control group using a 2-group comparative pilot design. For this pilot study to ensure adequate balance, subjects will be assigned using every other technique. After consent is obtained, a one-time pH stool sample will be collected either at the outpatient visit or at the inpatient's bedside.

Pre-Operatively (about 4 weeks prior to ostomy closure)

Intervention Group:

The parent or the inpatient healthcare provider (if patient is hospitalized at any point within the 4 weeks prior to ostomy closure) will follow standard of care for skin care pre-operatively, which is either no application of barrier cream, or an application of an over the counter skin barrier such as Aquaphor, Desitin, or Vitamin A&D if the patient is experiencing skin redness from urine incontinence. In addition to standard of care, they will apply stool from the stoma bag 4 weeks prior, twice daily for 10 minutes at a time. However, with the stool application no barrier cream will be applied to the skin in order for the stool to achieve penetrance to the skin. After 10 minutes of application, the caregiver or inpatient healthcare provider will remove the entire thin layer of stool gently without excessive friction, just enough to remove the stool, a dabbing motion is preferred. Parents will be asked to upload images of their child's diaper area at least once weekly onto the MyCHP Portal (if their child is not inpatient) in order to monitor their skin for breakdown from and while performing the intervention. If at any time redness occurs, the parent will be asked to upload an additional picture to the MyCHP Patient Portal for investigator/clinician review or for visual inspection (if inpatient) and corresponding measurement of perianal skin breakdown. Upon visual inspection or image inspection, the co-investigator/ clinician will provide review, corresponding measurement with a validated diaper dermatitis scale, and provide appropriate clinical guidance.

Compliance and Assessment: A preoperative compliance log will be used with every stool application by the parent at home or healthcare provider. This log will ask who applied the stool, how long stool was on the skin, description of stool, skin description, what brand of diapers and wipes were used, diet information, etc. They will notify the researchers if there are worsening skin concerns at home. Weekly and as needed images of buttocks areas will be uploaded into the CHP Patient Portal for clinical/research review by the parent, or weekly visual inspections as needed assessments by the principal investigator or co-investigators for hospitalized patients pre-operatively. On day of closure there will be a one time assessment to get a baseline assessment of skin prior to surgery. Compliance logs will also be turned in at this time.