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Scintigraphic assessment of colostomy irrigation
Author(s) -
Christensen P.,
Olsen N.,
Krogh K.,
Laurberg S.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
colorectal disease
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.029
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1463-1318
pISSN - 1462-8910
DOI - 10.1046/j.1463-1318.2002.00388.x
Subject(s) - medicine , colostomy , general surgery , irrigation , ecology , biology
Objective This study aims to evaluate colonic transport following colostomy irrigation with a new scintigraphic technique. Materials and methods To label the bowel contents 19 patients (11 uncomplicated colostomy irrigation, 8 complicated colostomy irrigation) took 111 In‐labelled polystyrene pellets one and two days before investigation. 99m Tc‐DTPA was mixed with the irrigation fluid to assess its extent within the bowel. Scintigraphy was performed before and after a standardized washout procedure. The colon was divided into three segments 1: the caecum andascending colon; 2: the transverse colon; 3: the descending and sigmoid colon. Assuming ordered evacuation of the colon, the contribution of each colonic segment to the total evacuation was expressed as a percentage of the original segmental counts. These were added to reach a total defaecation score (range: 0–300). Results In uncomplicated colostomy irrigation, the median defaecation score was 235 (range: 145–289) corresponding to complete evacuation of the descending and transverse colon and 35% evacuation of the caecum/ascending colon. In complicated colostomy irrigation it was possible to distinguish specific emptying patterns. The retained irrigation fluid reached the caecum in all but one patient. Conclusion Scintigraphy can be used to evaluate colonic emptying following colostomy irrigation.