Objectives To evaluate the intestinal mucosal permeability in continen
t reservoirs for urine. Patients and methods The mucosal permeability
in continent urinary reservoirs, constructed either from an ileal or a
colonic segment (six patients each), was assessed by analysing serial
samples of plasma, after instilling the reservoir with Cr-51-ethylene
diaminetetra-acetic acid (Cr-51-EDTA), and serum, after instillation
with polyethylene glycol (PEG 400). Results There was no or negligible
permeation of Cr-51-EDTA and PEG 400 in either type of reservoir, as
there was no significant increase of the markers in plasma and serum,
respectively. Conclusion The intestinal barrier to medium-sized hydrop
hilic molecules seems intact in continent urinary reservoirs, The lack
of significant permeation of Cr-51-EDTA confirms the usefulness of a
single injection of Cr-51-EDTA for the determination of glomerular fil
tration rate in patients with intestinal urinary diversion.