Consequences of radiation accidents.
Radiation injury attributable to radiotherapy is a topic that has attracted ample attention in the literature, especially in a vast number of publications in plastic surgery. However, the literature is clearly devoid of compilations regarding the effects of ionized radiation accidents. A case of a radiation accident is presented. It is nearly impossible to anticipate the extent of effects of external irradiation of the skin and subcutaneous tissues. The initially healed area should be expected to show late recurrent necrosis. Patients exposed to ionized external irradiation are no longer radioactive and can be treated as ordinary patients. However, these patients should be followed closely for years, keeping in mind the onset of late radiation effects like skin necrosis in various parts of the body, skin and other organ cancers, leukemia, infertility, hypothyroidism, and cataracts.
Aslan
Gürcan
G
Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Cebeci, Turkey. gurcanaslan@yahoo.com
Terzioglu
Ahmet
A
Tuncali
Doğan
D
Bingül
Ferruh
F
D000328:Adult; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D006801:Humans; D007496:Iridium Radioisotopes; D008297:Male; D011855:Radiodermatitis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D012867:Skin / Q000528:radiation effects*; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D012883:Skin Ulcer / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014421:Turkey
D007496:Iridium Radioisotopes