Changes in the Composition of the Urine after Ileal Loop Urinary Diversion

Abstract

Eight patients with ileal loop urinary diversions were studied for changes in the sodium, potassium and urea concentrations in the urine from the ureters and from the ileal loop. In 6 patients, the sodium concentration increased in the ileal loop urine, suggesting a transport of sodium from the blood to the urine in the ileal segment. The concentrations of potassium and urea in 5 and 7 patients, respectively, decreased from the ureteral urine to the ileal loop urine, indicating a reabsorption of potassium and urea into the blood. Concentration gradients could explain such transportations across the mucosa of the ileal segment. In patients with an impaired renal function, the modification of the urine by the intestinal mucosa may have clinical significance.