Background: Resection of the irradiated gut in women with cervical cancer is complicated by high morbidity and mortality mainly due to accidental injuries to the adjacent intrapelvic structures. To eliminate these injuries a new method is proposed.
Method: Six patients between 41 and 56 years old who had received radiation therapy for cervical cancer were operated on for post-radiation injury of the terminal ileum. All patients underwent partial resection of the irradiated small bowel plus right colectomy. The surgical technique was undertaken so as to leave parts of the small bowel (20 to 45 cm) adherent to the adjacent organs when complete resection was judged precarious.
Results: All patients had an uneventful recovery with 6 to 14 days hospitalization. No complications related to the remaining intrabdominal parts of the gut were observed. All patients died of the primary disease over 1 to 5 years postoperatively.
Conclusion: The method is safe, simple and eliminates injuries to the adjacent structures.