[Surgical management of chronic radiation enteritis]

To explore the surgical methods and the clinical results of chronic radiation enteritis.

Treatments were applied to forty-nine cases of chronic radiation enteritis complicated with intestinal obstruction, enterocutaneous fistula, intestinal stenosis, intestinal bleeding, severe proctocolitis and intestinal perforation, among whom 47 cases received an average of 2.8 +/- 2.1 operations. Twenty-six cases received resection of the injured segment with primary anastomosis, fourteen cases received intestinal resection and proximal enterostomy, among whom 6 ostomies were permanent, and another 8 cases received secondary ostomy closure. The injured intestinal segments were spared in 7 cases.

Forty-seven among 49 cases were cured (success rate, 96%) with no anastomotic leakage. Two patients died.

Surgical complications of chronic radiation enteritis should be managed operatively. The operative method should be chosen according to the general condition of the patients and the complexity of the abdomen. Perioperative management and proper selection of intestinal segments for anastomosis are essential for the success.