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Warning Signs Related To A Peristomal Wound

Ostomy #surgery is generally a simpler procedure, thanks to the modern-day medical sciences that are advance enough to ensure the safety of the most complicated #surgical procedures. Yet, many people can develop #complications after #stoma surgery. These complications occur any time, from immediately after surgery to years after the procedure.

 

The most common complications after stoma surgery are related to the stoma itself and peristomal skin. Nevertheless, the assessment measures for analyzing surgical wounds can become tricky in different situations. You may want to look at three main parameters to analyze the type of complication you experience.

 

Discoloration

The color of the stoma can be pink or red, and it has a shiny appearance. If the color of your stoma is black, purple, or brown, it may not be receiving an adequate amount of blood, or the tissues of your stoma may be dying off. If you notice these symptoms, you should get in contact with your #doctor immediately.

 

Ulceration or erosion

The #swelling of the stoma is a sign of complication. A stoma should shrink within seven weeks after surgery. If the size of the stoma remains the same or increases even after the recovery duration is over, it is a sign that something is wrong.

 

Parastomal #hernia is a common issue that can cause erosion or inflammation of the stoma. This condition refers to the intestines pushing through the weakened abdominal muscles, forming a noticeable bulge anywhere in the radius of a few centimeters around the stoma.

 

The signs of erosion may also occur as a result of the injury due to the use of a stoma belt or pouch. Such an injury is generally self-healing, but you have to make sure that you are not doing anything wrong with it so that the recovery remains persistent. You will also have to control the bleeding. You can do it by using foam dressing.

 

The erosion can also happen due to the stoma prolapsing. As soon as you notice this problem, contact your doctor immediately because there is nothing you can do to reverse a prolapse. You can prevent a prolapse through calculated physical activity and other measures, though.

 

Overgrowth

After ostomy surgery, a stoma might be swelled, and it may also be large in size. If there are tissues that close in over the stoma, you have got an issue to deal with, and that too immediately. If this problem is causing any pain or discomfort, a quick solution becomes even more crucial. If the overgrowth is due to the development of granular tissues, you may want to use topical steroidal creams to control it.

 

Wound infections can occur in a stoma several years after surgery, so it is wrong to presume that a stoma issue is not a complication.

 

No matter what stoma issue you face, and no matter what severity this issue has, it is most important to get in touch with your #ostomy care #nurse to discuss the problem. The nurse will recommend treatment if he or she has hands-on experience related to that issue. Otherwise, she will refer you to a doctor.

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Uploaded on November 2, 2020