Postoperative complications of the radiation-exposed intestine
Stremmel, W.; Münzenmaier, R.
Zentralblatt für Chirurgie 109(10): 651-656
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0044-409X PMID: 6485608 Document Number: 228647
Intestinal complications after radiotherapy cannot be avoided. Side effects of radiotherapy should be differentiated from injuries following correct application of radiation. Acute changes are usually transient. There is only a small incidence of major intestinal radiation injuries, amounting to less than 3%. Exact preoperative diagnostics is advisable in planning corrective operative procedures. The postoperative mortality rate is about 30%, operative procedures must be individualized, staged procedures are recommended.