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Radiation enteritis

Journal Article · · Am. Surg.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6064250
; ;
As the population receiving radiation therapy grows, so does the incidence of chronic radiation enteritis. A review of the pathology of chronic radiation enteritis reveals fibrosis, endarteritis, edema, fragility, perforation, and partial obstruction. Conservative management of patients with this disease is common. Because the obstruction is only partial, decompression is easily achieved with nasogastric suction and parenteral support. The patient is then often discharged on a liquid-to-soft diet. This therapeutic strategy does nothing for the underlying pathology. The problem, sooner or later, will return with the patient further depleted by the chronic radiation enteritis. We think surgical intervention is appropriate when the diagnosis of chronic radiation enteritis is assumed. The surgery in relation to this disease is high risk with a 30% mortality and 100% expensive morbidity. Early intervention seems to decrease these figures. All anastomoses, if possible, should be outside the irradiated area. Trapped pelvic loops of intestine should be left in place and a bypass procedure with decompressing enterostomies accomplished. The surgery should be performed by a surgeon with extensive experience with all kinds of bowel obstruction as well as experience in performing surgery in radiated tissue.
Research Organization:
Medical Univ. of South Carolina, Charleston
OSTI ID:
6064250
Journal Information:
Am. Surg.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Surg.; (United States) Vol. 53:9; ISSN AMSUA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

550600 -- Medicine
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
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM DISEASES
DISEASES
ENTERITIS
GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT
INJURIES
INTESTINES
MEDICINE
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ORGANS
PATIENTS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION INJURIES
RADIOINDUCTION
RADIOLOGY
RADIOTHERAPY
SIDE EFFECTS
SURGERY
THERAPY