Surgical aspects of intestinal injury due to pelvic radiotherapy

Journal Article · Mon Apr 01 00:00:00 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), Vol. 201:4, Issue 4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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