[Stenoses of the small and large bowel following radiotherapy of female genital cancer (author's transl)].

Stenoses of the lower intestinal tract following radiotherapy of female genital cancer occur at a frequency of 2-5%; the terminal ileum as well as the sigma are often involved. From 1966-1976 110 patients were treated at the Department of Surgery of the University Hospital of Hamburg. 43 patients required surgical treatment; stenosis of the sigma was the most frequent indication followed by ileus of the small intestines, haemorrhagic proctitis, ulcer of the anterior rectal wall and vesico-recto-vaginal fistula. The following operations were performed: Resection of the small intestines or enterolysis (n = 11), resection of the descending colon (n = 8), abdominal perineal excision of the rectum (n = 4), transversostomy (n = 14) and fistula plastics. - From our experience, intestinal reactions after radiation must be suspected when 1. the total irradiation dose is over 6000 R, 2. radium implants are used, 3. previous operations and abdominal inflammatory lesions restrict the movement of the intestines.