I often see folks in my clinic who are facing big changes with their health. Sometimes, after a significant surgery, like one involving the bladder, there’s a new way your body works. It can be a bit daunting, right? And you might have a lot of questions about follow-up tests. One such test we might talk about is a loopogram. It’s a word that might sound a bit strange at first, but it’s a really helpful tool.
What is a Loopogram, Anyway?
So, what exactly is a loopogram? Think of it as a special kind of X-ray movie. It helps us, your healthcare team, take a really good look at how urine (or pee, as we often say) is flowing through your system if you’ve had your bladder removed and a new pathway created for urine to leave your body. This new pathway is often called an ileal conduit.
Now, an ileal conduit sounds complicated, but it’s quite a clever solution. If you’ve had a surgery like a radical cystectomy (that’s removal of the bladder, often for bladder cancer) or a cystoprostatectomy (bladder and prostate removal), your surgeon might use a small piece of your intestine – the ileum, specifically – to create this new channel. One end of this channel connects to your ureters (the tubes that carry urine from your kidneys), and the other end is brought out to an opening on your tummy called a stoma. This whole process of rerouting urine is known as urinary diversion. The loopogram lets us see how this whole new setup – your kidneys, ureters, the ileal conduit, and the stoma – is doing its job. Pretty neat, huh?
Why Do We Perform a Loopogram?
We use a loopogram to make sure everything is working smoothly after your urinary diversion surgery. It’s a way for us to check for any kinks, narrow spots, or leaks. This information is super important for us to guide any further care you might need. Sometimes, a similar test called a distal loopogram is used for folks who have a colostomy (for the large intestine) or an ileostomy (for the small intestine), but today we’re focusing on the urinary kind.
Who Might Need a Loopogram?
You’d typically need a loopogram if you have that stoma we talked about – that little opening on your abdomen. This is where urine (or sometimes stool, in the case of a colostomy or ileostomy) now exits your body into a special bag. So, if you’ve had a:
- Urostomy (that’s the urinary diversion creating a stoma for urine)
…then a loopogram might be part of your follow-up care to check on how things are flowing.
Understanding Your Loopogram Procedure
It can be a relief to know what to expect. Let’s walk through it.
How Does a Loopogram Work?
It sounds a bit like checking the plumbing, and in a way, it is! During the loopogram, a specially trained healthcare provider, often a radiologist (a doctor who specializes in medical imaging like X-rays) or a radiology technician, will gently insert a thin, flexible tube, called a catheter, into your stoma. Then, a special liquid called contrast fluid is introduced through this catheter. This fluid is key because it makes your ileal conduit, ureters, and kidneys show up really clearly on X-ray pictures. As the fluid moves through, we can watch for any problems, like blockages or leaks.
Getting Ready for Your Loopogram
Preparing for a loopogram is usually pretty straightforward. Here’s what we generally advise:
- Comfort is key: Wear loose, comfortable clothes that are easy to change. You’ll likely be given a hospital gown. It’s best to leave any belly chains or similar jewelry at home.
- Pregnancy check: If there’s any chance you could be pregnant, please let us know. We usually need to confirm with a test beforehand, as X-rays aren’t typically recommended during pregnancy.
- Bring supplies: Don’t forget to bring a new stoma bag and any dressings you normally use. Your current bag will be removed for the test.
- Eating and drinking: Good news here! You can usually eat, drink, and take your regular medications as you normally would unless your doctor gives you specific instructions otherwise.
What to Expect During the Loopogram
When it’s time for your loopogram, here’s a general rundown of what will happen. Try to relax; the team is there to take good care of you.
- First, they’ll help you get comfortable on an X-ray table.
- Your current stoma bag will be gently removed.
- The skin around your stoma will be cleaned carefully.
- The thin catheter will be inserted into your stoma. You might feel a bit of pressure, but it shouldn’t be painful. Honest.
- The contrast fluid will then be slowly introduced through the catheter.
- A series of X-ray images will be taken. The technician might ask you to shift your position a little – maybe turn to one side or the other – so they can get pictures from different angles.
- Once all the pictures are done, the catheter is removed, and a new stoma bag will be put on for you.
How Long Does a Loopogram Take?
The loopogram itself is quite quick, usually around 15 minutes. But, you know how appointments go – plan for about 30 minutes to an hour in total, just to be safe and account for preparation and wrap-up.
What Can I Expect After a Loopogram?
After the loopogram is finished, you’re typically free to go about your day as usual. If there are any special instructions, your doctor or the radiology team will let you know.
Are There Any Risks?
The good news is that a loopogram is a very safe procedure with minimal risks. There’s a very small chance of an infection at the stoma site or an allergic reaction to the contrast fluid. It’s really quite rare, but we always watch out for these things. And, as I mentioned, we avoid doing a loopogram if you’re pregnant.
After Your Loopogram: Understanding the Results
Waiting for results can be the hardest part, I know.
How Do I Get the Results of My Loopogram?
The radiologist – that’s the specialist who reads the X-rays – will carefully examine all the images from your loopogram. They’ll then send a detailed report with their findings to your primary doctor or the specialist who ordered the test. If they spot anything, like a narrowing in the conduit or a small leak, your doctor will sit down with you. We’ll talk through what it means and discuss the best next steps and any treatment options, if needed. We’re in this together.
When Should I Call My Doctor?
Always feel free to reach out to your doctor’s office if you have any questions before or after your loopogram, or if you’re wondering about your results. That’s what we’re here for! No question is too small.
Key Things to Remember About Your Loopogram
Let’s just quickly go over the main points:
- A loopogram is a special X-ray test to check how urine flows through an ileal conduit (a new urine pathway) after bladder removal.
- It helps doctors see if your stoma and new urinary system are working correctly.
- Preparation is simple: wear comfy clothes, bring a new stoma bag, and let your team know if you might be pregnant.
- The procedure involves a catheter in your stoma and contrast fluid to make your urinary tract visible on X-rays. It’s usually quick and not painful.
- Risks are minimal, mainly a very small chance of infection or reaction to the contrast.
- Your doctor will discuss the loopogram results with you and any next steps.
Going through medical tests can feel a bit overwhelming, I know. But remember, procedures like the loopogram are there to help us give you the very best care. You’re doin’ great, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
