Purpose:  produce alginate molds that accurately depict the irregular contours of an ostomy pouching surface.  Custom molded face plates can improve wear time, pouch security and life adjustment to ostomy surgery for patients with irregular pouching surfaces.

Objective:  improve techniques for mixing and molding alginate that produce accurate molds for custom pouch manufacturers.

We had limited success with molding kits on the market.  Kit instructions indicate adding water to a line in the pre-measured packet, mixing with a wooden stick, and pouring around a thin plastic stoma shield.  By the time the alginate powder is mixed, it solidifies in the packet or is too thick when poured to mold into contours of the body.  If thinned too much, it runs and produces too thin a mold to hold shape.  Multiple attempts did not result in a good replica of the patient's anatomy.

A local dentist was consulted who readily shared his techniques.  The usual measure is 1:1 for the amount needed for the mouth. We found an extra 3 tablespoons of water were needed to avoid early solidification in the larger amount needed for a stoma.  His equipment is a small (1.5 pint) flexible mixing bowl and a short, wide bladed sandwich spreader.  This allows easy turning of the bowl with one hand while rapidly mixing with the sandwich spreader. 

Dentists pile the soft alginate onto a “platform” than apply to the teeth.  This platform keeps the alginate in place until solid.  The platform was constructed from a wide soft margarine carton.  The stoma shield was constructed from thick craft foam.  Alginate was poured into the platform and applied to the stoma.

The improved technique resulted in a pouch that increased wear time.  Patient returned to part time work after 4 years of home-bound status due to pouch leakage.