The MiniACE® feels loose/tight against the skin; what should I do?

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• If the MiniACE® feels too loose or too tight, one option is to adjust the volume of water in the balloon (always consult a healthcare professional before adjusting the volume of water in the balloon). Table 1 shows the minimum, recommended, and maximum volume of water for each French size of the MiniACE®.
• Be sure to check the current balloon volume before making any adjustments. To do this, insert an empty slip tip syringe into the MiniACE® balloon fill valve and pull back on the plunger (Fig. 1). Be sure to keep one hand on the device so it stays in place. Use the volume indicators on the syringe to determine how much water you just removed from the balloon and replace it with new water. If you do not have access to fresh water, you can re-fill the balloon with the water that is currently in the syringe. Compare the amount of water you removed from the MiniACE® to Table 1. If the MiniACE® fit is too loose, increase the amount of water in the balloon, but stay within the recommended amounts listed in Table 1. One option is to add an additional 0.5 ml of water to the balloon and see if that improves the fit. For example, you can fill the balloon with 3.0 ml of water instead of 2.5 ml of water. If the MiniACE® fits too tight, decrease the amount of water in the balloon, but stay within the recommended amounts listed in Table 1. One option is to reduce the water volume by 0.5 ml and see if that helps. For example, you could fill the balloon with 2.0 ml of water instead of 2.5 ml.
• If the MiniACE® does not properly fit, even though you increased or decreased the volume of water in the balloon, the stoma may need to be re-measured for a longer or shorter MiniACE® C-Tube.
• The MiniACE® should be able to turn easily without rubbing the patient’s skin. If the MiniACE® does not turn easily or if there is redness/bleeding at or around the stoma, call your healthcare provider. The stoma may need to be re-measured for a longer MiniACE®
• Each time the tube is changed, the stoma length should first be re-measured.
• NOTE: The MiniACE® should be able to move a little from side-to-side without too much force from the patient’s skin. If the MiniACE® does not move or, if you see redness/bleeding at the stoma or the area directly underneath the MiniACE®, call your provider. The stoma may need to be re-measured for a longer MiniACE®.