title: Early post-irradiation bowel obstruction managed by longitudinal serotomy.
abstract: Small bowel obstruction is an uncommon complication that can occur within weeks of pelvic radiotherapy. Probably due to acute inflammation and oedema of the bowel wall, it settles with conservative management. An instance of complete small bowel obstruction occurring 3 months after completion of pelvic radiotherapy is reported. The obstruction failed to resolve; careful longitudinal serotomy allowed the kinking in the bowel to be straightened and, at 1 year follow-up, there were no symptoms of recurrence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wilkinson
mesh_terms: D002277:Carcinoma / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007077:Ileal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000601:surgery*; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008722:Methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D013997:Time Factors; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery