The role of scintigraphic defecography in the assessment of bowel function after restorative proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis

Abstract Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficiency of defecation in patients with ileal pouch for ulcerative colitis by using the mean of scintigraphic defecography. Methods: Sixteen patients were classified into two groups according to the presence of good (group A) or poor (group B) pouch function. Emptying efficiency was calculated by scintigraphic defecography and measured as percentage of evacuation. This involves the use of up to 200 ml of an artificial stool made up of methyl cellulose paste labeled with 180 MBq of technetium- 99 m (Tc-99 m) methylene diphosphonate. Potential causes of increased frequency in the absence of additional associated symptoms of dysfunction were excluded in all patients. Maximum tolerated volume (MTV) and balloon expulsion tests were also performed on all patients. Results: No patient in both groups showed evidence of organic pouch dysfunction. Percentage of emptying was higher in patients of group A (n=6) than in group B (n=10) (81±9 vs 71±9%, respectively, P<0.05; correlation, −0.51, P