Hemiacidrin irrigation of renal pelvic calculi in patients with ileal conduit urinary diversion.

Five quadriplegic patients with ureteroileocutaneous urinary diversion and recurrent renal calculi underwent 8 episodes of renal pelvic irrigation with hemiacidrin solution. Irrigations were done either via a nephrostomy tube or transileostomy ureteral catheters with close monitoring of urine sterility and serum magnesium. The stones were dissolved totally in 3 of 4 patients. There were no serious complications encountered during the irrigations and the only failure was in a patient with a single ureteral catheter. Serum magnesium levels were elevated mildly in 2 patients, both of whom experienced concomitant nausea and this was relieved by discontinuing the irrigations. Hemiacidrin irrigation into collecting systems that contain interposed bowel appears to be a safe and effective form of therapy for stones.