DENSITOMETRIC AND BIOCHEMICAL-ALTERATIONS IN BONY TISSUE INDUCED BY URETEROSIGMOIDOSTOMY

The mineral content of bone was measured in 134 male patients who unde rwent ureterosigmoidostomy within the past 18 years. Moreover, the pri ncipal humoral indices of bone metabolism, together with hematic pH an d alkaline reserve (BE) values were evaluated. This study showed that after approximately 6 years from a ureterosigmoidostomy there was sign ificant bone demineralization. These data, supported by a parallel inc rease of serum osteocalcin, show that ureterosigmoidostomy represents a risk factor for osteoporosis especially in those patients who alread y have below normal values of bone mineral density prior to surgery.