[Surgical treatment of radiation injuries of the intestinal tract after radiotherapy of malignant tumors].

From 1962-1975 in our hospital 44 patients were operated because of complications of the bowel after irradiation of malignant tumors. 3 patients were operated in the region of subsequent irradiation. While at the small intestine stenoses were the most frequent complication, at the great gut fistula of rectum, colon sigmoideum or vagina besides stenoses were frequent. The time between irradiation and operation differed between 5 weeks and 22 years. The peak of frequency in the region of the great gut was seen about the first year after termination of irradiation, in the region of the small intestine about the second year. Among the operations of the small intestine resection predominates, at the great gut colostomy. Half of the patients were without complications in the postoperative course. 10 patients died postoperatively, 4 of them of peritonitis. In 3 cases suture insufficiency was verified, in 2 further cases this was doubtful. 36 of 44 patients were without carcinoma at the time of operation or control examination. 16 patients survived 5 years or more.