Whole body potassium in patients with ureterosigmoid anastomoses

Total body potassium was measured by whole body counting in 11 patients with uretero-sigmoid anastomoses who had undergone cystectomy 4 months to 13 years previously. The measured total body potassium was not significantly different in any of the patients from the "normal" value for the individual patients, predicted from height and age. It was only significantly different from that predicted from height, age and weight in 1 patient. In the series as a whole, the measured values of whole body potassium were not significantly different from the "normal" values estimated by either relationship. From measurements of skinfold thickness, the lean body mass of each patient was estimated. The mean potassium content, 62-0 mEg/kg LBM in the male patients was within the normal range. The absence of potassium depletion may derive from the successful abolition of hyperchloraemic acidosis by long-term alkali therapy.