[Reversible fixation of the small intestine for minimizing radiation damage with polyglycolic acid mesh--initial...

In ten patients with tumors of the small pelvis the bowel was fixed to the upper abdomen by use of Polyglycolic acid mesh (Dexon) to minimize radiation associated small bowel injury. In one case formation of abscess was seen ducto suture dehiscence of the rectal stump which could successfully be handled by lavage. No severe disturbance of bowel motility was seen. By sonographic and barium controls it could demonstrated that it was possible to keep the small intestine above the radiation fields as long as it was necessary for radiation treatment. After 3-4 months it could be demonstrated that the small bowel had descended into the pelvis again.