Surgical aspects of intestinal injury due to pelvic radiotherapy

Journal Article · Mon Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1985 · Ann. Surg.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1097/00000658-198504000-00012· OSTI ID:5776863

Hatcher, P A; Thomson, H J; Ludgate, S N; Small, W P; Smith, A N

Seventy-one patients with intestinal injury secondary to pelvic irradiation had predominantly large bowel lesions. Seventeen cases were treated conservatively and 54 came to surgery, 28 patients having more than one operation. Following this essentially salvage surgery there were more ileal than colonic anastomotic leaks. Thirty-four patients died during the follow-up period (2-12 years), 19 from recurrent malignancy, and nine as a result of continuing radiation effects. Seventy per cent of the patients who had a radiation fistula died as a result of malignancy. Of 42000 cases of pelvic malignancy treated by irradiation over the decade 1972-1982, surgical referrals for complications constituted 1.7%, with an overall radiation-related mortality of 0.2%. It is our opinion that colostomy alone has little part to play in this condition, and a policy based on excisional surgery is suggested.

• Research Organization: Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, Scotland
• OSTI ID: 5776863
• Journal Information: Ann. Surg.; (United States), Journal Name: Ann. Surg.; (United States) Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 201:4; ISSN ANSUA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550603 -- Medicine-- External Radiation in Therapy-- (1980-)
560151* -- Radiation Effects on Animals-- Man
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BODY
BODY AREAS
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DISEASES
FISTULAE
GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT
INJURIES
INTESTINES
MEDICINE
MORTALITY
NEOPLASMS
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ORGANS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
PATIENTS
PELVIS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION INJURIES
RADIOLOGY
RADIOTHERAPY
SIDE EFFECTS
THERAPY