Radio-Nucleotidic Study of the Functional Aspect of the Bowels after Ileal Resection

Abstract

SeHCAT (a taurine conjugate of a synthetic bile acid-homotaurocholate-containing the isotope selenium 75) has been used by the Authors to study the effects of extensive ileal resection on bowel function. 12 patients with ileal bladder were investigated 6–12 months following the operation; 4 of them also underwent the medical test prior to the operation, to ascertain integrity of the enterohepatic circle. 7 patients showed a failure of the enterohepatic circle, 3 patients were borderline, and the last 2 were normal. However none of them had clinical symptoms. On the basis of our data SeHCAT may be used for long-term study of patients with ileal bladder, and in the case of poor symptomatic situations the nutritional future of these patients can be monitored. The present method can be applied to selecting candidates for orthotopic bladder, since patients with intestinal malabsorption should be excluded from this type of ileal bladder diversion.