[Management of radiation-induced injuries of the intestine]

Radiation-induced injury of the intestine (RII) is a chronic iatrogenic disorder which often necessitates complex surgical intervention. We describe our experience with the surgical management of 9 patients with RII, 8 of whom suffered injuries of the small bowel and 1 of the rectosigmoid. There were 3 deaths, 2 from postoperative complications of ongoing RII and 1 from recurrence of the original tumor. 3 of the survivors continued to suffer from complications attributed to active RII, while only 3 remained symptom-free during follow-up. Our study emphasizes the fundamental role of good nutritional support during the perioperative period in these patients. It also indicates the desirability of using nonirradiated bowel for the anastomosis, and of a bypass procedure instead of resection and primary anastomosis in cases of radiation-induced frozen pelvis. Creating a barrier between the peritoneal cavity and the lower pelvis by an omental flap or other means, should be considered in patients operated on for pelvic cancer who might need adjuvant radiotherapy. This procedure shields the bowel from the radiation field, thus hopefully reducing the incidence of RII.