A comparative study of the effects of a colorectal valve on the oro-anal transit time in patients with an augmented and valved rectum for urinary diversion.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effect of the interposed colorectal valve on the flow of the proximal colonic contents to the rectum in patients with a valved urinary diversion to the rectum.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

The oro-anal transit time (OATT) and segmental colonic transit time (SCTT) were estimated in two groups of 15 patients each (10 women and five men). In group 1, patients had a colorectal valve and in group 2 (control) they had no valve in the rectosigmoid area. The OATT and SCTT were evaluated using the 7-day method, whereby each patient swallowed 10 ring-shaped radio-opaque markers daily for 6 days, and a single abdominal radiograph was taken on day 7. The OATT and SCTT were then estimated as the number of retained markers divided by the daily dose of markers.

RESULTS

The mean (sd) OATT was not significantly different (P=0.185), at 1.85 (1.21) days in group 1 and 2.49 (1.38) days in group 2. There were no sex differences in the values between the groups. The SCTT in the four areas of the colon again showed no significant differences within or between groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION

Using a colorectal valve to functionally isolate the urinary rectal reservoir and thus reduce the high incidence of metabolic acidosis has no significant effect on intestinal transit times.