What are the effects of changes in stoma height?

As the incidence of colorectal cancer continues to increase, the group of stomas has gradually grown, and there are more and more problems for people with stomas after surgery. The most common stoma problem is also the most worrying problem for many patients. Leakage, the change of stoma height is also one of the main causes of stoma leakage, so the next article will talk about the change of stoma height, what impact it brings, and how to deal with it, please follow me below Let's take a look together.

Ideal stoma height:

The height should be 1~2cm. In the early stage after the stoma operation, the edema of the intestinal papilla will gradually disappear. With the changes in diet, activities, and living habits after the operation, the height of the stoma and the shape of the abdomen will quietly change.

What are the types of stoma shapes:

The main cause of stoma leakage is the change in stoma shape. Generally, the shape of the stoma can be roughly divided into three types. Stoma retraction: the stoma is lower than the skin surface and recessed into the skin; the stoma is flush: the stoma is flat. The mouth is as flat as the skin; the stoma protrudes: the stoma protrudes from the surface of the skin, and this type of stoma is generally easier to care for.

What is the effect of the stoma nipple being too high or too low?

An overly high stoma nipple is more convenient for the sticking of the stoma chassis, and it can also protect the skin around the stoma and prevent excrement from impregnating the edge of the stoma. When the nipple of the enterostomy is too flat, the excrement will directly gather around the stoma and the skin, which will easily cause the excrement to seep into the skin layer from the side of the enterostomy, causing skin damage.

Why does the shape of the stoma change?

The shape of the stoma is not static, it will also change according to the changes in our body. The weight gain is obvious due to eating a lot of fatty food, so there is too much fat tissue around the stoma, which will lead to a change in the shape of the stoma. In addition, the skin becomes slack due to aging, and when standing or sitting, the skin around the stoma becomes uneven, some places are high, some places are low, or wrinkles appear. In addition, due to the disease itself, the mesentery cannot be pulled out of the skin surface too much. With the disappearance of intestinal papillary edema and changes in the shape of the abdomen, the enterostomy will retract.

How to solve the above changes in stoma shape?

The height of the stoma nipple also has a great influence on the leakage of the stoma. To solve this problem, the first thing we need to consider is how to choose a suitable stoma chassis.

For stoma friends with a flat or retracted stoma, it is necessary to choose a convex stoma chassis, which is beneficial for the pressure ring to press the skin around the stoma and make the base of the stoma bulge. In addition, the ostomy belt can be used together. This allows the stoma tray to fit snugly against the stoma root. If the stoma protrudes above the skin surface, it is recommended to use a flat chassis for the stoma. In order to reduce the occurrence of stoma complications, the size of the stoma chassis and the firmness of the stoma accessories need to be carefully checked. The normal stoma care process should be followed. It is recommended to use a two-piece stoma bag to facilitate the replacement of the stoma bag. to reduce the occurrence of complications.

It is recommended that friends with a stoma check the shape and height of the stoma every three months, so that

Adjust the chassis at any time to prevent leakage and reduce skin problems.

For more information on the Innomed® skin barrier, refer to the previous articles. If you have customized needs, you are welcome to contact us; we will serve you wholeheartedly.

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Editor: kiki Jia

Date: December 29, 2022