Gastrografin follow through before ileostomy reversal

[elrafantas]

Hi,

I'm having my ileostomy reversed on 12th October and yesterday I had a gastrografin follow through to check there were no leaks. They put a tube into my stoma (not the main hole that stuff comes out of but a tiny hole on the loop bit...), and threaded it into my large bowel, then injected dye using a giant syringe. This was...interesting...! I forgot to ask the doc if the dye would come out in the conventional way, as it had gone into my large intestine. Nothing has come out, however, and I'm a bit alarmed that this indicates a leak, even though they said everything was looking good. Has anyone else had this?

Much thanks

 

[David]

Has anything come out yet?

I did a little research and I found this:

When Gastrografin alone is used, the contrast medium has generally reached the rectum after 2 hours, while the Gastrografin/barium sulphate mixture may take up to 3 hours and, in individual cases, longer.
The most favourable time for taking exposures of the colon is indicated by the urge to defaecate which all patients experience.

The information also states that it isn't well-absorbed by the intestines.

I realize it's much easier said than done, but I wouldn't take any of this to indicate a leak. Wait for the test results and let's hope all is well and the reversal can commence as scheduled

 

[elrafantas]

Thanks for your help
Nothing ever came out. Weird and slightly alarming!

 

[JMC]

I had a gastrografin test before my ileostomy reversal. The contrast was pumped in through my anus however as they were checking the joins where two small sections of sigmoid colon had been removed due to penetration from fistulas in my terminal ileum. For me the contrast leaked out at the end of the procedure and a small amount came out into the toilet. The volume was very small however, not like a barium enema for example, so you may not get much out.