The modern enigma of radiation enteropathy: sequelae and solutions

The surgical management of radiation proctopathy

BACKGROUND

There is sparse evidence guiding the optimum surgical management of patients with radiation proctopathy (RP). The purpose of this review is to analyse all the literature on the surgical management of RP in order to guide physicians and surgeons as to when and what surgery should be employed for these patients.

METHODS

A literature search of PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Ovid, and Cochrane Library using the MeSH terms "radiation proctopathy", "proctitis", "surgical management", and related terms as keywords was performed. The review included all articles that reported on the surgical management of patients with radiation proctopathy. All relevant articles were cross-referenced for further articles and any unavailable online were retrieved from hard-copy archive libraries. Eighteen studies including one prospective cohort study, fifteen retrospective cohort studies, and three small case series are included.

CONCLUSION

Surgery is indicated for patients with RP for rectal obstruction, perforation, fistulae, or a failure of medical measures to control the symptoms of RP. Surgery centres mainly on diversion version resection. Diversion alone does not remove the damaged tissue leaving the patient at risk of continued complications including bleeding, perforation, occlusion, and abscess formation; however, major resectional surgery carries higher risks. Morbidity and mortality vary 0-44% and 0-11% for diversion only versus 0-100% and 0-14% for resectional surgery. There is no universally agreed surgical first-line approach. The data supports both resection with defunctioning stoma or diversion only as reasonable first-line surgical options for patients requiring surgery for RP.

Long-Term Nutritional and Digestive Consequences of Pelvic Radiation

OBJECTIVE

To study long-term changes in nutritional status and gastrointestinal (GI) functions of 15 women previously treated with radiotherapy for gynecological cancer. Two years prior to this research, these patients had been assessed twice: before external radiotherapy and 5 weeks later, at the completion of the external dose (45-50 Gy).

METHODS

Each patient was given complete clinical evaluation, consisting of dietary, physical activity and digestive symptoms questionnaires. Blood was drawn for routine clinical laboratory tests (hemoglobin, white blood cell count, creatinine, lipoproteins, glucose, total proteins, albumin, and C reactive protein). Body composition was assessed by classical anthropometric indicators and double beam X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), while muscle strength was measured through a hand dynamometer. Resting energy expenditure (REE), obtained by indirect calorimetry, was subtracted from energy ingestion, derived from dietary records, to calculate energy balance.

RESULTS

This third evaluation included fifteen patients. A significant increase in body mass index (BMI), % body fat and waist circumference were observed in comparison to earlier evaluations. The lean compartment decreased significantly, and REE descended in parallel. Meanwhile, total energy, fat and protein intake increased, compared to previous measurements. The changes in bowel habits observed during radiotherapy persisted at this third evaluation, with the exception of diarrhea, which was less reported. Abdominal bloating and rectal symptoms were the most prevalent complaints.

CONCLUSIONS

After radiation treatment for gynecological cancer, patients gained more body fat than expected in Chilean women around menopause. In spite of high protein ingestion, the loss of fat-free mass observed during radiation treatment was not recovered along with weight increase. This is probably associated with infrequent physical activity, both during and after treatment, and hyperphagia.

Operative and long term results after surgery for chronic radiation enteritis

BACKGROUND

About one third of patients with chronic radiation enteritis will need to be operated on during follow-up. Morbidity and life expectancy after resection and conservative surgical management for chronic radiation enteritis have not been well documented.

METHODS

From 1984 to 1994, 109 patients were operated on with a mean follow-up of 40 months (range 1 to 293). Postoperative mortality, early and late morbidity, long-term survival were studied in patients after resection (n = 65) and after conservative surgical management (n = 42), and in patients after planned or emergency procedure. Existence of possible risk factors for reoperation after a first surgical procedure was analyzed.

RESULTS

Five (5%) patients died in the postoperative course. Operative mortality was significantly higher when the procedure was performed as an emergency (P <0.05). Although not statistically significant, mortality was higher in the resection group (5% versus 0%). Thirty-three (30%) patients experienced postoperative complications including anastomotic leak in 11. Morbidity was not statistically related to the nature of the treatment (ie, conservative versus resection) or to the indication (emergency versus elective). During follow-up, reoperation was required in 40% of the patients, because of recurrence of digestive symptoms suggestive of chronic radiation enteritis; the reoperation rate was higher in the patients of the conservative group (50% versus 34%). Overall survival, after a mean follow-up of 40 months in patients without cancer recurrence was 85% at 1 year and 69% at 5 years after surgery, respectively. Overall survival was influenced by the nature of the treatment with 51% and 71% 5-year survival after conservative and resection treatment, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite high initial mortality and morbidity rates, life expectancy in patients with chronic radiation enteritis without recurrence of their previous neoplastic disease was good. Resection seems to provide a smaller reoperation rate and a better 5-year survival, but a higher postoperative mortality.

Aggressive initial surgery for chronic radiation enteritis: long-term results of resection vs non-resection in 44 consecutive cases

OBJECTIVE

One third of patients with chronic radiation enteritis will require surgery. There is, however, no consensus on the best surgical strategy. The long-term results of intestinal resection vs a `conservative' procedure, including stoma, bypass, and/or adhesiolysis, were reviewed with special reference to reoperation rates and the ultimate need for long-term parenteral nutrition.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Forty-four patients operated for chronic radiation enteritis were divided into two groups: Group I resection (n = 21) and Group II conservative (n = 23). Twenty patients had received preoperative total parenteral nutrition, 16 (76%) in the resection group vs four (17%) in the conservative group (P < 0.001). In the resection group, intestinal resection was combined with a stoma in six patients. In the conservative group, 10 patients underwent adhesiolysis, five a bypass procedure, and eight diverting stoma.

RESULTS

Post-operative mortality was similar in both groups (9.5% vs 8.5%). Mean follow up was 53 and 55 months for Group I and Group II, respectively. The reoperation rate was significantly lower in Group I: 9 (47%) vs 19 (86%), P < 0.01. Although not significant, the ultimate need for long-term parenteral nutrition rate was lower in Group I than in Group II: 6 (32%) vs 10 (48%).

CONCLUSION

Resection resulted in better treatment outcomes than `conservative' surgery for chronic radiation enteritis.

Prospective evaluation of formalin therapy for radiation proctitis

BACKGROUND

Radiation proctitis is a troublesome complication of radiation therapy for as many as 75% of patients after pelvic irradiation. Five percent progress to chronic radiation proctitis complicated by telangiectasias and hemorrhage. The utility of formalin rectal instillation for treatment of bleeding is prospectively evaluated in this study.

METHODS

Eleven patients (9 male, 2 female) with rectal bleeding after pelvic irradiation were treated with formalin therapy. In a single treatment, 4% formalin was instilled into the rectum in four separate 20-cc aliquots with total mucosal contact time of approximately 15 minutes. Patients were initially evaluated at 7 to 10 days and 1 month postoperatively and assessed for bleeding.

RESULTS

All patients presented with rectal bleeding. Twenty-seven percent required transfusion. Thirty-six percent had failed other previous therapy. In follow-up of 3 to 64 months, 100% had initial success with cessation of bleeding. Three patients had recurrent bleeding; none required transfusion. One patient required repeat formalin instillation, with no further bleeding at 3 months follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Local rectal instillation of 4% formalin is an efficacious therapy for treatment of radiation-induced lower gastrointestinal bleeding.

Chronic irradiation enteritis: its correlation with the elapsed time interval and morphological changes

Twenty-one lesions from 19 patients with chronic irradiation enteritis (CIE) were examined to elucidate correlations with the histological findings and either the elapsed time interval or the macroscopic features. The lesions were divided into the early CIE group (E group; the lesions resected within 2 years after irradiation) of 10 lesions and the late CIE group (L group; the lesions resected more than 8 years after irradiation) of 11 lesions. Based on the macroscopic features, the lesions of CIE were divided into three types: ulcerative stricture type (U type; 11 lesions), serosal adhesion type (A type; 6 lesions) and wall sclerosing type (S type; 4 lesions). Only A type lesions were observed in the E group, and U type lesions were significantly more frequently encountered in the L group (9 of 11; 82%) than in the E group (2 of 10; 20%). Moderately to markedly degenerated changes of the vessel wall (8 of 11; 73%), enteritis cystica profunda (8 of 11; 73%), atypical epithelia (7 of 11; 64%), and the occurrence of fistula (2 of 11; 18%) were all significantly more frequently present in the L group than in the E group. No radiation-induced colorectal carcinomas were observed. The authors thus conclude that CIE is a slowly progressive disease. The late CIE showed macroscopically ulcerative stricture type properties with tissue degradation, such as fistulas, perforation, and dysplastic epithelia compared with early CIE; thus, long-standing CIE should be followed for the early identification of further complications. The classification of CIE based on macroscopic features is, therefore, considered to be useful to understand the clinical course of this disease better.

Formalin instillation for refractory radiation-induced hemorrhagic proctitis. Report of 16 patients

PURPOSE

Our goal was to evaluate use of topical (4 percent) formalin in management of radiation-induced hemorrhagic proctitis, refractory to other methods of treatment. Specifically, we wished to determine its safety, ability to stop bleeding, and complications associated with therapy.

METHODS

Sixteen patients with radiation-induced hemorrhagic proctitis were treated with topical (4 percent) formalin. All had been previously treated with conservative regimens such as cautery, topical steroids, or laser, but these had failed. Five-hundred milliliters (ml) of a 4 percent formalin solution was instilled into the rectum in 50-ml aliquots. Each aliquot was kept in contact with rectal mucosa for approximately 30 seconds. Treatments were performed under local anesthesia in nine patients, sedation only in four, spinal in two, and general in one patient.

RESULTS

In 12 patients, bleeding stopped after a single formalin instillation; in 3, bleeding was considerably reduced but continued sporadically. One patient required three treatments before bleeding stopped. Four patients developed postoperative anal pain, of which one also had significant tenesmus and reduced capacity. Of these four patients, only two had significant anal pain and fissures that lasted longer than one month.

CONCLUSIONS

Topical (4 percent) formalin is safe and effective in treatment of radiation-induced hemorrhagic proctitis. A single treatment will stop bleeding in 75 percent of patients.

Late complications of postoperative radiation therapy for cancer of the rectum and rectosigmoid

PURPOSE

We retrospectively examined the surgical, medical, radiotherapeutic and technical factors associated with late small bowel and nonsmall bowel morbidity.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

The medical records of 224 patients with cancer of the rectum and rectosigmoid treated mainly with abdominoperineal resection or anterior resection and postoperative radiotherapy at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center from 1973 to 1990 were reviewed. The median dose was 54 Gy (range 34-66 Gy) at 1.8-2 Gy per fraction using various techniques (23 had extended fields to L1 or L2; pelvic fields were treated with anterior-posterior in 85, 83 had a 3-field plan and 33 had a 4-field "box"). A positioning technique that treats patients on an open table-top device was used in 78 patients to move the small intestine out of the pelvis. Bladder distension was used in eight. Forty-seven patients received concomitant 5-fluorouracil. Small bowel series were performed in 122 patients to assess the volume of small bowel inside the pelvis below the conjugate line.

RESULTS

In 29 patients, the median time to the development of small bowel obstruction was 7 months (range 0-69 months); 18 patients required reoperations. The small bowel obstruction rate was 30% in patients treated with daily extended field radiotherapy, 21% in those with a single pelvic field and 9% with multiple pelvic fields. Small bowel obstruction was positively correlated with postsurgical adhesions prior to radiotherapy and absence of reperitonealization at the time of initial surgery (p < 0.05). There was no correlation of small bowel obstruction with a history of hypertension, diabetes, prior surgery, history of abdominal infections, postoperative infections, wound healing, pathologic tumor stage, types of surgical procedures, sites of primary tumor, age, or sex. Patients developing small bowel obstruction had larger amounts of small bowel assessed radiologically below the conjugate line than those without complications. With the open table-top device, the small bowel obstruction rate was 3%. In 47 patients treated with radiation and chemotherapy on the open table-top device, the small bowel obstruction rate was 15%, but these patients had more small bowel inside the pelvis than those without the complication. The median time to the development of nonsmall bowel obstruction in 29 patients was 8 months (range 0-85 months), and the nonsmall bowel obstruction complications were significantly correlated with postoperative infection. Most nonsmall bowel obstruction complications were in the genitourinary tract and occurred in patients who had abdominoperineal resection.

CONCLUSION

The open table-top device, by moving the small bowel out of the treatment field, reduces small bowel obstruction in patients treated with radical surgery and postoperative radiotherapy for cancer of the rectum and rectosigmoid. This technique is facile, reproducible, and does not require patient compliance.

Radiation injuries of the colon and rectum

Approximately 5% to 10% of patients receiving abdominopelvic radiation therapy will develop a colon or rectal injury. Thorough evaluation of the patient to determine the extent of the injury and the presence of concomitant lesions and to rule out recurrent malignancy is urged. Many radiation complications can be managed with medical regimens. Although colostomy remains a valuable and frequently utilized mode of treatment, it is by no means the sole alternative when surgical intervention is required. Rectal resection with colorectal or coloanal anastomosis can be performed safely for some injuries involving the distal rectum. Surgery for irradiated bowel should be focused on minimizing dissection to minimize injuries and on providing healthy non-irradiated tissues to provide adequate blood supply to promote healing. Patients who have received abdominopelvic radiation are at greater risk of developing colorectal cancer, and cancer surveillance should be commenced 5 years after completion of therapy.

Efficacy of a synthetic mesh sling in keeping the small bowel in the upper abdomen to prevent radiation enteropathy in gynecologic malignancies

Radiation therapy in gynecological malignancies is limited by the frequent occurrence of radiation enteropathy at effective dose levels of 45 Gy and higher. Elevation of the small bowel out of the true pelvis should enable doses of up to 60-70 Gy to be given without damaging the small bowel. We report a feasibility study concerning elevation of the small bowel out of the true pelvis, by creating an intra-abdominal sling with a synthetic mesh. Twelve patients with pelvic gynecological malignancies were included since 1986. In all patients peroperative application of the mesh was possible. In ten patients adequate elevation of the small bowel was achieved. Two patients showed a right-sided herniation of a small bowel loop on a control barium opacification, performed 1 week postoperatively. In one of these a fistula occurred after resecuring the mesh. The most important problem in this study, as has also been reported elsewhere, was a herniation of a small bowel loop. The incidence is probably inversely correlated with the skill of the surgeon and will therefore be reduced with increasing experience. Future long-term studies should address the issue whether or not radiation enteropathy can be prevented by this method.

Chronic radiation enteritis: a community hospital experience

A retrospective study was undertaken to evaluate the operative management of patients with chronic radiation enteropathy. Thirty-eight affected patients from 1974 to 1986 were reviewed. Patients with recurrent cancer responsible for symptoms were excluded. Seventy-one percent of patients presented with bowel obstruction. Twenty-one patients were treated with bowel resection, while 17 were treated with a bypass procedure or diverting ostomy alone. Overall morbidity was 45%, and postoperative mortality was 16%. Patients in the bypass group were significantly older than those in the resection group (70.3 vs. 55.5 years, P = .024), suggesting that age may have been a determinant of the procedure performed. In our study there was no difference in outcome based on preexisting vascular disease, tumor site, type of procedure performed, or radiation dose. We conclude that resection is the procedure of choice in cases of chronic radiation enteritis requiring surgery except in cases with dense adhesions when enteroenterostomal bypass is a viable alternative.

Failure of 5-aminosalicylic acid enemas to improve chronic radiation proctitis

Radiation proctitis is a well-known complication of abdominal and pelvic radiation. Conventional medical and surgical treatment often is disappointing. 5-Aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) is the active component in sulfasalazine and is effective in the treatment of distal ulcerative colitis. Four patients with radiation proctitis were treated with 4 g 5-ASA by enema nightly for two to six months. Patients were seen monthly, interviewed, and a sigmoidoscopic exam performed. No change was seen in the degree of mucosal inflammation on follow-up sigmoidoscopic exams. Three patients noted no change in their symptoms of bleeding, pain, or tenesmus. One patient noted initial improvement, but this was not sustained. 5-ASA enemas do not appear to be effective in the treatment of radiation proctitis.

Prospects for management of gastrointestinal injury associated with the acute radiation syndrome

The effect of total-body ionizing radiation on the digestive tract is dose-dependent and time-dependent. At low doses (1.5 Gy), one observes only a short prodromal syndrome consisting of nausea, vomiting, and gastric suppression. At doses greater than 6 Gy, the prodromal syndrome is more marked, and it is followed after a 2-5-day remission period by a subacute syndrome, characterized by diarrhea and hematochezia. This gastrointestinal syndrome is superimposed onto a radiation-induced bone marrow suppression. The combination of intestinal and hemopoietic syndromes results in dehydration, anemia, and infection, leading eventually to irreversible shock and death. The treatment of prodromal symptoms is based on the administration of antiemetics and gastrokinetics, although an effective treatment devoid of side effects is not yet available for human therapy. The treatment of the gastrointestinal subacute syndrome remains difficult and unsuccessful after exposure to total body doses greater than 8-10 Gy. Supportive therapy to prevent infection and dehydration may be effective if restoration or repopulation of the intestinal and bone marrow stem cells does occur. In addition, bone marrow transplantation may improve the prospect of treating the hemopoietic syndrome, although the experience gained in Chernobyl suggests that this treatment is difficult to apply in the case of nuclear accidents. Administration of radioprotectants before irradiation decreases damage to healthy cells, while not protecting cancerous tissues. In the future, stimulation of gastrointestinal and hemopoietic progenitor cells may be possible using cell growth regulators, but much remains to be done to improve the treatment of radiation damage to the gastrointestinal tract.

Surgical therapy of radiation-induced lesions of the colon and rectum

Thirty-six operations for late sequelae of radiotherapy were carried out in 31 patients from 1971 to 1986. The most frequent indications for surgery were stricture (58 percent) and fistula (29 percent). In the first 8 year period from 1971 through 1978, 13 of 14 operations were diversions (colostomy or by-pass). From 1979 through 1986, a more aggressive approach prevailed. Only 32 percent of the operations were diversions. This more aggressive strategy was accompanied by a decrease of the postoperative mortality rate from 21 percent through 1978 to 0 in the later period. The overall complication rate was 23 percent. Complications were relatively more frequent after two-layer sutured or stapled anastomoses and after resection or fistula closure without temporary colostomy. We conclude that in radiation-induced colonic and rectal lesions, diversion should be performed in patients with unproved cure of disease or tumor persistence. Resection and fistula closure can be carried out safely, and a temporary colostomy is strongly recommended.

Absorbable synthetic mesh (910-polyglactin) intestinal sling to reduce radiation-induced small bowel injury in patients with pelvic malignancies

Absorbable synthetic mesh (910-polyglactin) was used to create an intestinal sling in six patients undergoing surgical staging of pelvic malignancies prior to radiation therapy. All patients had effective compartmentalization of small intestine out of the pelvis which persisted throughout the duration of radiation therapy. None of the patients developed complications related to the intestinal sling. This technique is well tolerated and has the potential to minimize chronic small intestinal complications caused by radiation therapy for pelvic malignancies.

Natural history and surgical management of radiation enteritis

Radiation enteritis is an increasing problem. The effect of ionizing radiation is due to a direct effect on proliferating cells and due to a progressive obliterative vasculitis. Predisposing factors include the dose of radiation, combination with chemotherapy, previous operations and vascular disease. Management is related to the stage of disease at presentation, and tailored to the clinical problem. Surgical management must take into account the poor healing associated with irradiated intestine.

Strategies for preserving intestinal length in the short-bowel syndrome

Total parenteral nutrition now permits long-term survival in patients after massive intestinal resection. Surgical therapy for the short-bowel syndrome is still largely experimental and cannot be recommended routinely. Thus, prevention of intestinal resection and conservation of intestinal length, when resection is necessary, should be emphasized. Strategies are presented that can be employed to preserve intestinal length when surgery is required in patients with a shortened bowel. These include strictureplasty, minimal resection, serosal patching, and intestinal tapering. In suitable candidates strictureplasty can relieve obstruction from strictures while avoiding resection. Minimal resection of involved intestine can be performed safely in selected patients with radiation injury or Crohn's disease. Serosal patching is an alternative to resection for the treatment of perforation or strictures of the intestine. Intestinal tapering can improve the function of dilated intestinal segments and eliminate the need for resection in intestinal atresia. The judicious use of these procedures can preserve intestinal length and obviate the need for long-term parenteral nutrition in patients after massive intestinal resection.

Late results of mucosal proctectomy and colo-anal sleeve anastomosis for chronic irradiation rectal injury

Ten patients with severe chronic irradiation injury to the rectum were treated by mucosal proctectomy and colo-anal sleeve anastomosis. The indications were: recurrent rectal bleeding (five), stricture (three), fistula (one) and intractable pain (one). Overall follow-up has ranged from 8 to 77 months (mean 40 months). In the present survivors (n = 7) the follow-up ranges from 18 to 77 months (mean 52 months). Six patients have been followed up for more than 3 years and four for more than 5 years. There was no operative mortality. Three anastomotic strictures occurred but the protecting stoma could be closed in all but one patient. Continence was acceptable although urgency and frequency of defaecation were troublesome symptoms. The operation is recommended for life-threatening, haemorrhagic chronic irradiation injury to the rectum.

Function of the anal sphincters after chronic radiation injury

Anorectal manometry was done in 10 men with chronic radiation proctitis and symptoms of urgency, frequency, and occasional incontinence of faeces. They were compared with 10 asymptomatic age and sex-matched controls. The maximum resting anal canal pressure and the physiological sphincter length were significantly lower (p less than 0.01) in the irradiated group. The rectosphincteric reflex was absent in one patient and showed abnormalities of recovery in four others, who had received radiotherapy. The squeeze pressure of the external sphincter was not significantly different. These results indicate that dysfunction of the internal anal sphincter may contribute to patients' anorectal symptoms after pelvic radiotherapy. Histological evidence suggests that damage to the myenteric plexus is mainly responsible. The manometric function of the external sphincter remains relatively unaffected.

Anorectal function following colo-anal sleeve anastomosis for chronic radiation injury to the rectum

Anorectal manometry and electrophysiological studies of the pelvic floor were performed in eight patients who had undergone anterior resection of the rectum with mucosal proctectomy and colo-anal sleeve anastomosis for radiation rectal injury. There is a severe reduction in the compliance of the neorectum and in the maximal tolerable volume. Maximum basal anal canal pressure and physiological sphincter length are also significantly reduced although the 'squeeze' pressure of the external anal sphincter and the latency of the pudendo-anal reflex were unaffected. Four patients had an absent rectosphincteric reflex, four patients involuntarily expelled the test balloon at the maximal tolerable volume during a proctometrogram and four patients demonstrated increased EMG activity of the pelvic floor on straining and on rectal distension. These abnormalities help to explain many of the patients' symptoms. Histological abnormalities of the myenteric plexus were a prominent feature in all the excised specimens and may be responsible for some of the functional abnormalities.

Efficacy of polyglycolic acid mesh sling in keeping the small bowel in the upper abdomen after abdominal surgery: a 12-month study in baboons

The purpose of this study was to determine if a "sling" made of polyglycolic acid (PGA) would be a reliable method of preventing small bowel descent into the pelvis following abdominal surgery. Baboons were used, as they respond to infection and ambulate similarly to humans. Animals had the small bowel mobilized to the upper abdomen and had the PGA "sling" sewn into place. Documentation of small bowel position was evaluated by upper gastrointestinal series over the 12-month study. Small bowel descent into the pelvis was prevented by utilization of the PGA "sling." Animals were sacrificed and autopsied, and sections of small bowel were taken. There was no evidence of mesh, obstruction, sepsis, fistulae, or herniation in animals at autopsy. Small bowel sections were considered normal histologically. Utilization of PGA sling appears to be a safe and reliable method of preventing small bowel descent into the pelvis after abdominal surgery.

Safety of low anterior resection in the presence of chronic radiation changes in dogs

Thirty mongrel dogs underwent 4000- or 5000-rad single treatment orthovoltage irradiation to the pelvis according to the nominal standard dose equation. Following a resting period of six months, 21 dogs were randomized to low anterior resection with either stapled or handsewn anastomoses. Anastomotic leaks were evaluated on clinical and radiographic grounds. The radiographic leak rate was 81 percent for sutured and 0 percent for stapled anastomoses. The clinical leak rate was 18 percent for sutured and 0 percent for stapled anastomoses. The difference between the 4000- and 5000-rad groups was not significant. The data suggest that late effects of irradiation do not preclude the safe construction of low anterior anastomoses, and that the circular stapling device is superior to hand-sewn techniques.

Impact of radiotherapy on palliative gastroenterostomy in pancreatic cancer

The previously unaddressed impact of radiotherapy and vagotomy on palliative gastroenterostomy (GE) in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer was studied. Sixty-eight patients were retrospectively evaluated. A higher overall incidence of complications was found in the group (N = 44) undergoing irradiation as well as gastroenterostomy compared to a group undergoing gastroenterostomy alone. The increased complications were due to 16 episodes of bleeding among the irradiated patients. Rates of obstructive complications were similar for both groups (20%). Rates of bleeding were highest among patients undergoing prophylactic GE and irradiation compared to those receiving GE alone. Vagotomy in 12 patients who were irradiated did not appear to protect against bleeding. We found the irradiated prophylactic GE to provide poor palliation in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer and recommend it not be performed if radiotherapy is to be used for attempt in local control of unresectable pancreatic cancer.

Correlation of clinical and manometric abnormalities of rectal function following chronic radiation injury

Continuous fluid-inflation proctometrograms were performed in men with the symptoms of chronic radiation proctitis and in age and sex-matched control subjects (n = 10). Rectal volumes and compliance were measured. There was a significant reduction in the rectal volumes at sensory threshold, constant sensation and maximal tolerance and in rectal compliance (P less than 0.01). Comparable pressure measurements did not demonstrate significant differences. The maximum tolerable volume, symptomatic and sigmoidoscopic scoring correlated to rectal compliance (r = 0.77, -0.8, -0.73; P less than 0.01, less than 0.01, less than 0.02, respectively). Reduction in volume and compliance is often not obvious radiologically. Histological evidence suggests that smooth muscle hypertrophy and myenteric plexus damage are contributory.

In vitro allograft irradiation prevents graft-versus-host disease in small-bowel transplantation

In small-bowel transplantation, the transfer of large numbers of donor lymphocytes with the intestinal allograft may provoke a lethal graft-versus-host reaction. The effectiveness of allograft irradiation in vitro as a method of preventing graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was studied in a rat model of small-bowel transplantation, with the Lewis----Lewis X Brown Norway F1 hybrid strain combination. Cold harvested small-bowel allografts were irradiated immediately prior to heterotopic or orthotopic transplantation. Animals that had received heterotopic allografts irradiated with 0, 250, or 500 rad all died of GVHD after 14.4 +/- 3.0, 15.0 +/- 1.3, and 14.2 +/- 1.9 days, respectively. None of the animals that had received allografts treated with 1000 rad developed clinical or pathologic evidence of GVHD, however, and all survived for more than 6 months (P less than 0.001). Allograft function was studied in animals that underwent orthotopic transplantation. Recipients of nonirradiated orthotopic allografts all died of GVHD after 14.0 +/- 0.7 days, whereas recipients of allografts irradiated with 1000 rad all survived for more than 5 months (P less than 0.001). After 120 days, weight gain (51.8 +/- 11.7%), serum albumin (3.9 +/- 0.7 g/dl), serum triglycerides (67.0 +/- 24.3 mg/dl), CBC, and differential in these animals were not statistically different from those in either age-matched isograft recipients or normal animals, and when the rats were sacrificed, irradiated allografts showed no changes suggestive of radiation injury. These results indicate that irradiation of small-bowel allografts in vitro prevents development of GVHD, and that this can be achieved at a dose which does not cause injury to or malfunction of the allograft.

Surgical aspects of intestinal injury due to pelvic radiotherapy

Seventy-one patients with intestinal injury secondary to pelvic irradiation had predominantly large bowel lesions. Seventeen cases were treated conservatively and 54 came to surgery, 28 patients having more than one operation. Following this essentially salvage surgery there were more ileal than colonic anastomotic leaks. Thirty-four patients died during the follow-up period (2-12 years), 19 from recurrent malignancy, and nine as a result of continuing radiation effects. Seventy per cent of the patients who had a radiation fistula died as a result of malignancy. Of 42000 cases of pelvic malignancy treated by irradiation over the decade 1972-1982, surgical referrals for complications constituted 1.7%, with an overall radiation-related mortality of 0.2%. It is our opinion that colostomy alone has little part to play in this condition, and a policy based on excisional surgery is suggested.

Small bowel exclusion from the pelvis by a polyglycolic acid mesh sling

Radiation enteritis is seen in patients receiving radiation therapy for various pelvic malignancies. Attempts to prevent this have included various surgical as well as nutritional approaches with little success. The use of a polyglycolic acid mesh sling sewn above the pelvic inlet has prevented small bowel descent into the true pelvis in rats and in humans. The technique has been successful in both with no attendant morbidity during an 11-month follow up. Several patients have received additional doses of radiation therapy that would not have been given if the small bowel were not removed from the area to be irradiated.

Vitamin B12 deficiency after irradiation for bladder carcinoma

Vitamin B12 deficiency was found in 10 of 41 patients who underwent radiotherapy before cystectomy with Bricker urinary diversion for carcinoma of the bladder. Of 13 patients given full irradiation because of inoperable bladder cancer 5 had malabsorption of vitamin B12. Serum folic acid was normal in these patients, indicating predominantly ileal irradiation sequelae. Routine evaluation of serum vitamin B12 after radiotherapy is recommended so that appropriate medication can be given, if possible before neurological symptoms appear.

Surgical aspects of radiation enteritis of the small bowel

Injury to the small bowel is one of the tragic complications of radiotherapy. We performed a retrospective analysis of patients operated upon for stenosis, perforation, fistulization, and chronic blood loss of the small bowel after radiotherapy for multiple malignant diseases. In the period 1970 to 1982 in the Department of General Surgery of the St. Radboud University Hospital, Nijmegen, and the Department of Surgical Oncology of the State University, Groningen, 27 patients were treated surgically. Twenty patients presented with obstruction. In 17 patients a side-to-side ileotransversostomy was performed; in three the injured bowel was resected. Of the five patients with fistulization, three underwent a bypass procedure; in two cases the affected bowel was resected. In one patient with perforation, a resection was performed, as in a patient with chronic blood loss. Two of the 20 patients (10 per cent) in whom the diseased bowel was bypassed died postoperatively. Of the seven patients whose affected bowel was resected four (57 per cent) died of intra-abdominal sepsis. Management of the patient with chronic radiation enteritis is discussed. We conclude, on the basis of our experience, that in patients with obstruction and fistulization, a bypass procedure of the affected bowel is a safe method of treatment. In case of resection, the anastomosis should be performed during a second operation.

Omental transposition flap in colorectal carcinoma: adjunctive use in prevention and treatment of radiation complications

The versatility of the omentum has led to its use as a surgical adjunct in the total oncological management of primary and recurrent colorectal carcinoma. The omentum is used as a transposition pedicle flap, broadly based on the left gastroepiploic vascular supply. Following abdominoperineal resection or low anterior resection of the rectum, the small bowel is elevated out of the pelvis by the omental bulk. The pelvic defect is reperitonealized and the risk of pelvic small bowel adhesions is diminished. With the increasing use of postoperative radiation to the pelvis for rectal carcinoma, the tolerance to therapy may be improved and the incidence of radiation enteritis and enteropathy should be reduced. Surgical complications such as leakage from low anterior anastomoses and pelvic abscesses, which may delay or contraindicate necessary postoperative radiation, are dramatically decreased. Reconstruction of the perineum with omental flap provides adequate soft tissue bulk and contour when a radical resection has been performed. The omentum has the potential for neovascular proliferation and can act to prevent anastomotic dehiscence of intestinal anastomoses involving previously irradiated bowel. Furthermore, covering unresectable recurrent carcinoma in the pelvis and retroperitoneum with the omentum as a palliative measure provides a thick anatomical barrier against potential ureteral, bladder, and small bowel invasion and obstruction. The omental flap has been used in 24 patients with colorectal carcinoma; one flap was lost as a result of distal omental infarction in a patient with recurrent rectal carcinoma and radionecrosis of the perineum. The safety and ease of this procedure has allowed increased surgical innovation, especially in the prevention and treatment of radiation complications.

The spectrum of radiation enteritis. Surgical considerations

Radiation therapy, often used to treat gynecologic and urologic pelvic malignancies, has varying, adverse effects on the bowel. Radiation enteritis may occur from one month to 20 years after irradiation, and disabling symptoms may require surgery in 10 to 20 per cent of patients. From our experience with 20 patients who required surgery for radiation enteritis and who were followed for up to 20 years, we were able to identify three clinical groups. Patients in the first group need only medical treatment for their symptoms, and observation, whereas patients in the second group may present with acute, debilitating, life-threatening symptoms that may require emergency surgery. Patients in the third group have a long-standing history of intermittent bowel obstruction and/or enteric fistulas that are best treated with adequate nutritional support followed by timely surgical intervention.

The surgical management of the radiation-injured intestine

The grim prognosis for patients with severe radiation injury of the intestine need not be considered unalterable. Aggressive, wide-resectional techniques, new nutritional methods, and earlier diagnosis should provide significantly improved results. Reshaping of traditional conservative attitudes, which have been associated with mortality ranging from 20 to 50 per cent, is strongly encouraged. A selectively bolder approach to the intestine injured by radiation is endorsed as a means of reducing the mortality and morbidity and of providing a greater opportunity for preserving or reconstituting acceptable gastrointestinal function.

Radiation injury of the rectum: evaluation of surgical treatment

One hundred four patients, 80 women and 24 men, with radiation injury of the rectum following treatment for gynecologic and urologic malignancy were studied. In 50 patients, the rectal injury was treated surgically; 54 patients were treated conservatively. The age and sex distributions were the same in each group. In 63 patients, symptoms developed one month to one year after radiotherapy. The longest latent interval was 17 years. Of the 50 surgical patients, 23 had associated small bowel injury. The indications for surgery for the rectal injury were 1) proctitis unresponsive to conservative measures in 14 patients, 2) rectal stricture or fistula or both in 32, and 3) rectosigmoid perforation in four. Forty-one patients had external diversions. Eleven had intestinal continuity restored; six of the 11 had required the stoma for proctitis unresponsive to medical measures. Nineteen patients did not undergo colostomy closure, although symptoms wer greatly improved. Diversion alone was insufficient treatment in the remaining 11 patients. Twenty-six patients died. The 12 deaths in the surgical group comprised four due to residual malignancy, four from postoperative complications, and four from unrelated causes. Of the 14 deaths in the nonsurgical group, 11 died of the primary malignancy and three of unrelated causes. Diversion is considered the safest form of treatment for rectovaginal fistulae, rectal strictures, and proctitis unresponsive to medical measures. Intestinal resection resulted in sharp rise in the morbidity and mortality rates.

Colonoscopy in radiation colitis

Colonoscopy in 13 patients with stenosis or hemorrhage after radiation therapy is correlated with clinical and radiographic features. The authors found colonoscopy helpful in delineating the diagnosis and in guiding treatment.

The management of radiation proctitis

This paper deals with the clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of acute and delayed forms of radiation injury of the rectum. A series of thirty-seven patients with this condition is reported and the current literature is reviewed. Although there have been no major advances in the treatment of this problem, an improvement in results of operative procedures can be expected with a better understanding of the pathology, the use of parenteral nutrition, and the introduction of several new techniques of bowel anastomosis. Aspects of prevention are also discussed.

Operative management of radiation injuries of the intestinal tract

A review of forty cases of radiation-induced gastrointestinal injuries is presented. Based on this experience and reports in the literature, preoperative management and operative technics are discussed. The increased risk of radiation bowel injury is recognized in patients who have had previous operations. Preradiation contrast studies are advised to identify trapped loops of intestine in the pelvis. Small bowel resection is recommended with localized segments of disease. Bypass operations are preferable to avoid any extensive dissections. Bypass operations have anastomotic dehiscence rates similar to those of resections. Proctocolitis is usually managed by diverting colostomy, with resection in a few favorable cases or with treatment failures. Most rectovaginal fistulas are managed by permanent colostomy. Small bowel fistulas are best treated by bypass with partial or total exclusion rather than by primary resection. Vigorous preoperative and postoperative nutritional support and evaluation are vital because of the poor healing qualities of irradiated bowel. Multiple operative procedures should be anticipated because the natural history of radiation bowel injury is slowly progressive.