Cardboard tube technique for treating peristomal skin and placing ostomy wafer

The treatment of peristomal skin is an important part of ostomy care. As a professional it can be difficult to treat the skin if output is sudden or continuous but often the patient can help. It is then left up to them to carry on with treatment but they may have no-one to help. If a good, clean, clear surface is not prepared for the wafer, undermining will again occur and the spiral of events leading to significant skin breakdown and possibly secondary infection may then result.

Placing a wafer precisely is not always necessary but good placement can decreases the possibility of undermining of the wafer material and so increase wear time. Finding a way to consistently place a wafer well, will decrease peristomal skin irritation.(1). For those unable to use a mirror or if the client is blind, being independent with their appliance change can mean a significant improvement in their quality of life.

The cardboard tube technique is a simple way of segregating the stoma while the peristomal skin is treated. Alternatively the tube can be used to position and place a wafer.

This innovative approach to managing problematic pouching is not well known and will be of enormous benefit to WOC Nurses and their clients. It is easy to demonstrate to colleagues and costs nothing. 

The poster will describe a variety of ways to utilize a cardboard tube and show sequential photographs that will clarify this approach