Patients who have a traditional ileostomy will likely seek out more convenient ostomy options at some point following the initial procedure. Why? Ileostomies can be messy, unpredictable and embarrassing.
Dr. Don Schiller has perfected a surgical procedure called the Barnett Continent Intestinal Reservoir (BCIR) that gives patients freedom and convenience following the removal of the colon due to Ulcerative Colitis, Familial Polyposis, Crohn’s colitis, colonic inertia or other condition.
In BCIR surgery, Dr. Schiller creates an internal pouch and a nipple valve using tissue from the patient’s small intestine. The valve is connected to a stoma or ostomy on the lower abdominal wall. Following surgery, patients insert a catheter into the stoma three to five times each day. In this manner, the contents of the pouch are emptied into a toilet.
Here are 5 reasons why patients prefer the BCIR over other ileostomy and ostomy options.
Unlike conventional Brooke ileostomies, BCIR patients don’t wear an external ostomy bag. That means patients can wear what they want to wear and not have to worry about hiding the bag.
Since the BCIR offers a more controlled way to eliminate waste from the body, patients don’t have to monitor their diet as carefully as with a conventional ileostomy. Patients have more freedom to eat the foods they enjoy, including broccoli, cabbage, bean, onions, carbonated drinks, fried, spicy or sugary foods.
The BCIR’s nipple valve prevents any stool or gas from coming out of the stoma until the patient is able to empty the pouch. Therefore skin irritation does not occur, unlike a conventional ileostomy where the external appliance (bag) may leak and waste contacts the skin.
With no external bag to manipulate, sports, swimming, exercise and other forms of physical activity become much, much easier. A BCIR means patients won’t be slowed down by their ileostomy.
No external bag or fear of leakage makes sexual activity a more pleasurable experience. The specialized nipple valve on the stoma reassures patients no leakage will occur during even the most intimate moments. Dr. Kock’s original studies of his patients, confirmed by Dr. Schiller’s extensive experience, show that patients have enhanced self-image and quality of life.
Patients who need a surgical intervention to remove their large intestine (colon) should consider the BCIR. Perfected by Dr. Don Schiller, the BCIR is the superior option due to the freedom and control it offers patients.