Why is a patient who has undergone a colostomy instructed to measure the width of the stomas for the first 6 weeks postoperatively before applying each new pouch?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

After surgery, swelling and edema may cause the stoma size to decrease. It is important to measure the stoma regularly during the first 6 weeks to ensure a proper fit for the pouching system. A poorly fitting pouch can cause irritation and infection of the stoma.

Why Is a Patient Who Has Undergone a Colostomy Instructed