Prevention of uric acid stone formation by sodium bicarbonate in an ileostomy patient —A case report

A 38 year old female underwent a proctocolectomy and ileostomy for ulcerative colitis in February, 1974. For 8 year post-operatively, she excreted innumerable renal stones, mainly composed of uric acid. Her urine was highly acidic and hyperuricosuric with a low concentration of sodium. Sodium bicarbonate 4 gm/day, t.i.d., was started in October 1985, after which her renal stone excretion completely ceased (up until March, 1987), except for one incidence of stone excretion when she discontinued therapy for a week. During the sodium bicarbonate therapy, her urinary pH and Na concentration were elevated. Furthermore, sodium bicarbonate significantly elevated the urinary pH and Na concentration of other ileostomy patients. Thus, sodium bicarbonate could be used for the possible prophylaxis of uric acid formation in selected ileostomy patients.