Question:

I’m in my 70s, living in Ontario, and I have a colostomy. I’ll be undergoing a total proctectomy next week due to radiation damage. I’ve been told not to use a donut cushion, but I’m wondering if I should buy a special cushion now or wait until after surgery. What type of cushion is recommended?

Answer:

After a total proctectomy, you will have a perineal incision that requires protection and offloading to heal properly. Using a cushion after surgery is definitely recommended, especially when sitting in a chair.

Here are some tips for post-surgery comfort and healing:

• Limit sitting time initially. Start with short periods—around 10 minutes a day—and slowly increase as tolerated.
• When in bed, try lying on your side to avoid pressure on the surgical area.
• The best cushion options are the ROHO cushion or a medium-density foam cushion. These provide effective pressure relief and support.
• Avoid using donut cushions. The hole in the center can allow the surgical site to “hang,” leading to poor support and increased pressure around the edges of the wound.
• Pillows are generally not effective for this purpose as they tend to compress unevenly and don’t provide consistent pressure relief.

If you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out again.

Answered by

Masoumeh Azimi, RN, NSWOC