Colorectal surgery is a common practice for those suffering from various stomach and colon issues. It involves performing surgery on the abdomen region to alleviate a digestive system issue. Sometimes, these surgeries result in a rerouting of bodily waste through a stoma, or opening, in the side of the abdomen.
Whenever an opening is created on the body, securing medical devices or bags safely and sanitarily is vital. It’s important for patients to practice proper wound care and use high-grade, skin-safe tape to hold devices and bags in place.
Hy-Tape is a great solution for securing stomas after colorectal surgery. Hy-Tape is designed to hold tightly to the skin without causing irritation when a patient moves. Its zinc-oxide is sensitive to skin, making it easy to remove and replace the tape.
Types of Ostomy
An ostomy is a change in the way bodily waste exits the body. Surgeries that create an ostomy can be used as a way to divert urine or stool, or both. Ostomies can be a temporary solution for waste removal while part of the body heals before an additional surgery returns everything to normal. They can also be permanent in the event that parts of the body are permanently damaged and a new waste removal system is needed for good.
There are three common types of ostomies:
- A colostomy is a surgically created opening in a patient’s colon for the removal of stool. A stoma is created at the abdomen wall and the colon or rectum is rerouted to the opening.
- A urostomy is similar to a colostomy, but for a failing bladder and the removal of urine. Part of the small bowel or large intestine is rerouted as a way for urine to pass from the kidneys through a stoma.
- An ileostomy is created when the ileum fails to work properly or becomes diseased. This requires a stoma to be made in the lower abdomen wall for the removal of stool and urine.
No matter the type of ostomy surgery a patient experiences, they will have an opening that must stay clean and attached to their ostomy bag or device. A high-grade tape like Hy-Tape can ensure a tight hold with limited or no skin irritation.
Length of time for an ostomy
The length of time a patient may have an ostomy depends on their health situation. Some ostomies are permanent while others are temporary.
Permanent ostomy
A permanent ostomy may be created by a surgeon because of the permanent failure of the intestine, colon, rectum, or bladder. They may also be put in place due to a disease such as cancer that has rendered part of the digestive tract useless. A permanent ostomy will require regular care, including ostomy bag replacement, device management, and more.
Temporary ostomy
A temporary ostomy can be created by a surgeon to solve a temporary digestive tract issue. If a doctor determines that part of the GI tract needs weeks or months to recover from damage, a short-term ostomy may be put in place before another surgery is scheduled to bring the organ back into service. Short-term diseases can often be a reason for a temporary ostomy.
No matter the type of ostomy, patients must be vigilant in taking care of their ostomy and stoma. Regular removal of ostomy bags and cleaning of devices can greatly reduce the chances of further damage and disease.
How to secure an ostomy bag or device
It’s important to attach your ostomy bag or device properly every time you make a change. A few steps can help ensure that your ostomy bag or device is secured and unlikely to leak:
- Cut a hole in a barrier to the exact size of your stoma.
- Attach the barrier firmly to the skin, ensuring a tight fit.
- Use a waterproof, skin-sensitive tape such as Hy-Tape to secure the barrier.
- Attach the bag or device tightly, applying tape to the connection.
Ostomy bags and devices must be regularly changed to help prevent further health issues. Discuss with your doctor how often you will need to make a change.
Use Hy-Tape to secure your ostomy and avoid skin irritation
Hy-Tape is specially designed to be safe and easy on the skin. Just some of the features of Hy-Tape include:
- Zinc oxide – A common ingredient in sunscreen, zinc oxide is a major part of Hy-Tape. It provides a protective barrier between the skin and the tape without weakening the tape itself. This helps for the safe removal of the tape with little to no skin irritation.
- Powerful hold, gentle release – Hy-Tape is designed with a powerful adhesive that keeps the tape in place, yet, releases gently. The tape holds tight and does not move or shift. It’s also waterproof, making it safe to wash the nearby skin carefully.
- Flexibility – Hy-Tape is made to be flexible, adjusting to the basic movements of a patient. The tape does not chafe, allowing for easy movements without irritation.
Hy-Tape is one of the most requested tapes on the market for ostomy bag and device securing. If you’re looking for a high-grade tape for yourself or your patients, Hy-Tape is a great option. Contact us today to learn more about our products and how they can make ostomy management much easier.