Surgical treatment of radiation enteritis

Journal Article · Sat Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1992 · American Surgeon; (United States)

OSTI ID:5308164

Cross, M J; Frazee, R C ^[1]

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1. Department of General Surgery, Scott and White Memorial Hospital, Temple TX (United States)

Radiation enteritis is a progressive, disease process that causes intestinal fibrosis and obliterative endarteritis, which results in significant morbidity and mortality. The authors' clinical experience involving 20 patients over a 22-year period from 1967 through 1989 who underwent various surgical procedures to alleviate chronic symptoms secondary to radiation enteritis is described. Eight men and 12 women with a mean age of 52 years (24 to 81 years) underwent a total of 27 procedures for complications of radiation enteritis. Radiation therapy was delivered for treatment of gynecologic malignancies (55%), colorectal cancer (20%), prostate malignancies (10%), and others (15%). The mean average dose of radiation delivered was 5,514 rads with a range of 2,613 to 7,000 rads. The interval from radiation treatment to time of surgery averaged 9 years. Operative procedures consisted of 12 resection and primary anastomosis procedures and 15 resections with stoma creation. Formation of a stoma was used in patients with more severe disease. The 30-day operative mortality was 0% and morbidity was 55%. There were no anastomotic leaks or intra-abdominal abscesses. The authors conclude that resection and primary anastomosis can safely be performed in selected patients but that judicious use of stoma formation can avoid major mortality and morbidity associated with surgery in this setting.

• OSTI ID: 5308164
• Journal Information: American Surgeon; (United States), Journal Name: American Surgeon; (United States) Vol. 58:2; ISSN AMSUA; ISSN 0003-1348
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560151* -- Radiation Effects on Animals-- Man
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM DISEASES
DISEASES
DOSES
ENTERITIS
FEDERAL REGION VI
INJURIES
MEDICINE
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
PATIENTS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION INJURIES
RADIOINDUCTION
RADIOLOGY
RADIOTHERAPY
SIDE EFFECTS
TEXAS
THERAPY
USA