Characteristics and treatment of intestinal obstruction resulting from radiation enteritis / 中国实用外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Radiation enteritis(RE) is a common complicationcaused by radiotherapy of abdominal and pelvic malignanttumor. As the increase of radiotherapy and the prolongation ofsurvival time, the incidence of RE is growing. Based on thedifferent pathological and clinical features, RE can be dividedinto acute and chronic RE, and about one third chronic REpatients require surgical treatment. The aims of surgery forintestinal obstruction resulting from RE are to relieve obstruction, restore intestinal function and prevent recurrence.The general principle of surgery is to definitely remove thedamaged intestine and reconstruct the continuity of digestivetract. However, for the RE patients with acute intestinalobstruction, surgeons prefer to take non-surgical measures totransform emergency surgery into elective or limited-timesurgery, in order to reduce the risk of operation andpostoperative complications. Moreover, because the patientswith chronic RE are at high risk of malnutrition, propernutritional support should be considered in the perioperativeperiod.