Prevention of radiation injuries to the small intestine.

The removable synthetic "pelvic spacer" prevents intestinal loops from sliding down into the area most heavily exposed to irradiation during a full course of radiotherapy for abdominopelvic neoplasia. Furthermore, it provides a homogeneous distribution of roentgenograms and allows higher dosages of radiation. It reduces possible sequelae and offers new possibilities for radiotherapy of tumors of the pelvis. The removal of the spacer is disadvantageous but clearly compensated by a more curative treatment.