Intestinal absorption and bacteriology of the ileal contents were compared in seven patients with continent ileostomy and seven patients with conventional ileostomy. The absorption of vitamin B12 was reduced in five patients with continent ileostomy and subnormal in two patients with conventional ileostomy. Steatorrhoea was present in four patients with continent and one patient with convention...

Bile acid (acidic sterol) and neutral steroid excretion were determined in 15 patients, five with conventional ileostomy, five with continent ileostomy, and five with continent ileostomy and an ileal resection. Acidic sterol losses were normal in conventional ileostomy patients and not significantly increased in those with continent ileostomy alone. Bile acid excretion rates were significantly ...

To determine the nature and frequency of malabsorption in patients with continent ileostomies, faeces and urine from 42 patients with ileal pouches and from 19 patients with conventional ileostomies were analysed and compared. The patients with conventional ileostomy were matched with patients with ileal pouches. Thirteen of the patients with pouches were found to have excessive faecal volumes ...

Total body water (TBW) and total body potassium (TBK) were studied in 40 ileostomists before (with conventional ileostomy) and one year after conversion to a continent ileostomy. Each patient acted as his own control. Total body water was determined by using an isotope dilution technique and TBK by counting the gamma radiation from the naturally present nuclide 40K in a whole body counter. Meas...