Intermediate effects of the ileocaecal urinary reservoir (Charleston pouch 1) on serum vitamin B12 concentrations: can vitamin B12 deficiency be prevented?
OBJECTIVE
To assess the long-term effects of a form of ileocolic urinary reservoir (Charleston Pouch 1) on vitamin B12 serum levels, as vitamin B12 deficiency may be an important long-term risk after urinary diversion by this method.


METHODS
The study included 60 patients (mean age 52 years, range 27-77; 33 men and 27 women) who had a follow-up of >or= 36 months (36-132 months) after the construction of an ileocaecal urinary reservoir. Vitamin B12 serum levels were determined at the time of diversion and again when the patients were evaluated every 6 months.


RESULTS
Fifty-eight patients had a normal serum vitamin B12 concentration before surgery (two patients were excluded from the study because they had low levels); the mean level was 464 pg/mL (normal range 247-1000). At 6 and 12 months, the mean vitamin B12 levels were 367.5 and 468.5 pg/mL; at 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11 years, the mean levels were 305, 495.5, 436.5, 379.5, 423.5, 393, 529.5, 631, 333.5 and 340 pg/mL, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Ileocaecal urinary reservoirs have no adverse effects on serum vitamin B12 levels for up to 10 years after surgery. Patients with vitamin B12 deficiency must be identified and given adequate parenteral doses for life. Because body stores of vitamin B12 may not be depleted for many years, problems with B12 may be masked for a long time. We recommend that vitamin B12 levels be obtained annually, that a modest supplement twice yearly (by injection) may be beneficial and that serum vitamin B12 must be sampled before giving vitamin B12 injections, to avoid false results.
Yakout
H
H
Department of Urology, MUSC, Charlston, South Carolina 29425, USA.
Bissada
N K
NK
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002432:Cecum / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007082:Ileum / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D016476:Urinary Reservoirs, Continent; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood*; D014806:Vitamin B 12 Deficiency / Q000517:prevention & control*
D014805:Vitamin B 12