Things You Need To Know About Cut-To-Fit Ostomy Systems
The primary purpose of a cut-to-fit ostomy pouching system is to allow users to customize the shape and size of the wafer to make it fitting for their stoma, especially if it is irregular. If you want to use this system, you first have to get help from your doctor or ostomy care nurse. They will shape the wafer for you at first to teach you the right way. However, a person with a physical impairment may have to get someone to customize all of their flanges.
Stoma types that can benefit from cut-to-fit ostomy pouching systems
Your doctor may recommend you a cut-to-fit system if you have a non-circular, oval, or shrunk stoma. Any stoma that fails to benefit from a pre-cut ostomy barrier is usually the right candidate for a cut-to-fit ostomy system.
Preparing a cut-to-fit ostomy system
The easiest way to prepare a cut-to-fit ostomy pouching system is to use a flange cutter, which is a special tool to create openings in ostomy barriers. The best thing about a flange cutter is that it can create openings of desired shapes and sizes without requiring any fine motor skills. It means that individuals with disabilities may be able to cut their flanges without getting help from anyone.
While preparing a cut-to-fit ostomy system, you have to make sure that neither should the opening be too narrow to irritate the stoma nor should it be too wide to allow the stomal output to get in contact with the peristomal skin area. Perhaps, the primary goal of a cut-to-fit ostomy pouching system is that it allows users to customize the system’s skin barrier right according to their stomas’ requirements.
Most of the time, doctors recommend patients to use cut-to-fit systems right after the surgery. In the first few weeks after surgery, the shape of the stoma changes a lot. Hence, using cut-to-fit systems may be the best answer to the requirements of consistently changing stomas.
Benefits of a cut-to-fit stoma
- You can adjust a cut-to-fit system to fit the shape and size of your stoma.
- Since the manufacturing company will have outlined various measurements on the flange to make the cutting process convenient, all you need are some fine motor skills to cut the barrier for creating the desired shape and size of the opening.
- Since the flange fits stoma in its center nicely, it doesn’t allow leakage to occur.
Despite its benefits, there are a few drawbacks to this pouching system too. For instance, people with dexterity issues might not be able to use a cut-to-fit system even if they need it the most.
Furthermore, you need to avoid deciding on your own about using a cut-to-fit ostomy system. Ask your doctor if you are the right candidate for it.
