Treatment of intestinal injuries following irradiation

The cases of 16 patients treated for intestinal radiation injuries are reviewed. The conclusion is that in patients who have received radiation treatment earlier, it is never possible to rule out intestinal radiation injuries as the reason for abdominal complaints. The pathologic picture and the symptoms seem to be independent of the latency period and age. The possibilities for treatment are discussed, and it is concluded that only patients with slight injuries in whose cases cancer has been ruled out can be treated conservatively. For all other patients resection and perhaps closure of a fistula if it is possible should be done. This, however, was possible only in 25 per cent of our patients. In the rest of the patients operated on it was only possible to establish a colostomy.