The development of a treatment protocol for patients with chronic radiation-induced rectal bleeding.
BACKGROUNDS AND METHODS: This study reviews the clinical features and reports the preliminary results of treatment of 34 consecutive patients with clinically significant bleeding from chronic, radiation-induced proctitis, using a combination of endoscopic YAG Laser and the application of topical formalin dressings to the rectal mucosa.


RESULTS
Bleeding ceased in 25 patients (74%); bleeding continued but occurred only slightly and occasionally in five patients (15%); and three patients required operation to control the bleeding (9%). One patient relapsed after treatment and died while receiving a further transfusion.


CONCLUSIONS
This experience has been used to develop a management protocol for patients with this serious complication.
Chapuis
P
P
University of Sydney Department of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Concord, New South Wales, Australia.
Dent
O
O
Bokey
E
E
Galt
E
E
Zelas
P
P
Nicholls
M
M
Yuile
P
P
Mameghan
H
H
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002908:Chronic Disease; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000379:methods; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000601:surgery*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011349:Proctitis / Q000601:surgery*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D013684:Telangiectasis / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014565:Urogenital Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy
D006454:Hemoglobins; D005557:Formaldehyde