Ileostomy reversal & barium enema

pepperdog

My husband will ultimately undergo an ileostomy reversal. We were told that he would have a barium enema before the procedure. Can anyone tell me what is the purpose of this test and exactly what does it tell the doctor ? (He had a resection due to rectal cancer.) Thanks!

cal79

The barium enema is an x-ray of the bowel with the use of contrast. This is done to check the resection (or j-pouch site) before they go ahead with surgery.

With the actual test, you lie on a table, and a tube is inserted into the rectum. A contrast liquid is pumped into the colon, and they ask you to squeeze and try and hold the liquid in while they take some x-rays (not easy after having an ileostomy!). I didn't find the procedure too bad, it didn't hurt and no bowel cleanse was required.

I think the procedure lets the doc know if there are any stricures or problems with the surgical joins, as well as whether the pouch inflates with the contrast etc.

As soon as I had this test, I was scheduled for reversal surgery.

Cal

pepperdog

cal79 said:

The barium enema is an x-ray of the bowel with the use of contrast. This is done to check the resection (or j-pouch site) before they go ahead with surgery.

With the actual test, you lie on a table, and a tube is inserted into the rectum. A contrast liquid is pumped into the colon, and they ask you to squeeze and try and hold the liquid in while they take some x-rays (not easy after having an ileostomy!). I didn't find the procedure too bad, it didn't hurt and no bowel cleanse was required.

I think the procedure lets the doc know if there are any stricures or problems with the surgical joins, as well as whether the pouch inflates with the contrast etc.

As soon as I had this test, I was scheduled for reversal surgery.

Cal

Cal, thanks for the firsthand information. My husband is looking forward to the reversal; we just have to wait for all the chemo to end.