Intraperitoneal resorbable mesh in the prevention of postoperative wound dehiscence. A comparative study]

The purpose of this study was to compare efficiency of polyamide mesh externally applied to the skin and intraperitoneal resorbable mesh of polyglactine 910, for the prevention of wound dehiscence. Two consecutive and homogenous groups of 100 patients, operated by the same surgical team and presenting one or more risk factors of evisceration, were retrospectively compared. Use of intraperitoneal polyglactine mesh, significantly reduced rate of wound dehiscence (4% vs 13%), lowered frequency of reoperation in eviscerated patients (25% vs 61%), but did not improve prognosis of this complication (50% mortality). Potential effect of resorbable mesh on late fascial disruption remains controversial.     

Prevention of postoperative wound dehiscence. Comparative study of polyglactin 910 mesh and total reinforced extraperitoneal sutures

Postoperative wound dehiscence is a serious complication. Various surgical procedures have been proposed to prevent it but only few studies have compared their effectiveness. The authors report a retrospective study on 292 high risk patients operated between 1980 and 1988. These patients were divided in two groups according to the methods of abdominal wall support: 226 patients (group I) with total reinforced extraperitoneal sutures and 66 (group II) with a polyglactin 910 mesh. Preoperative risk factors, surgical pathology and the incisions performed were similar in the two groups. Only two parameters were different: the number of previous operations and emergency surgery which were more frequent in group II (p less than 0.05). Fourteen patients in group I developed postoperative wound dehiscence and none in group II (p = 0.02). Nine of these patients were reoperated with a mortality of 28.5%. The frequency of the other complications was similar in the two groups. Polyglactin 910 mesh was more effective than total reinforced extraperitoneal sutures in the prevention of post operative wound dehiscence justifying its use in high risk patients.     

Management of laparotomy wound dehiscence

Many studies identify risk factors for dehiscence, but a paucity of data exist suggesting an optimal treatment strategy. This study examines repair of abdominal wound dehiscence, comparing closure and interposition of mesh. We conducted a retrospective review of 37 individuals who suffered a wound dehiscence after laparotomy. Outcomes of repairs with either primary closure or polyglactin mesh interposition were examined. Twenty-seven individuals underwent repair with primary closure. Twelve of these individuals suffered repeat wound dehiscence; 10 were treated with repeat fascial closure, 2 with polyglactin mesh interposition. Seven individuals initially underwent successful repair with polyglactin mesh interposition; all subsequently had their hernias repaired. Three patients had minor fascial separation managed nonoperatively. Primary closure is associated with a relatively high rate of recurrent wound dehiscence. Closure with polyglactin mesh interposition has a higher initial success rate, but necessitates additional surgeries for repair of the abdominal wall defect.     

Mesh repair for postoperative wound dehiscence in the presence of infection: is absorbable mesh safer than non-absorbable mesh?

Objective In patients with postoperative wound dehiscence in the presence of infection, extensive visceral oedema often necessitates mechanical containment of bowel. Prosthetic mesh is often used for this purpose. The aim of the present study was to assess the safety of the use of non-absorbable and absorbable meshes for this purpose. Method All patients that had undergone mesh repair of abdominal wound dehiscence between January 1988 and January 1998 in the presence of intra-abdominal infection were included in a retrospective cohort study. All surviving patients had physical follow-up in February 2001. Result Eighteen patients were included in the study. Meshes consisted of polyglactin (n = 6), polypropylene (n = 8), polyester (n = 1), or a combination of a polypropylene mesh with a polyglactin mesh on the visceral side (n = 3). All patients developed complications, consisting mainly of mesh infection (77%), intra-abdominal abscess (17%), enterocutaneous fistula (17%), or mesh migration through the bowel (11%). Mesh removal was necessary in eight patients (44%). Within four months postoperatively, six patients (33%) had died because of progressive abdominal sepsis. The incidence of progressive abdominal sepsis was significantly higher in the group with absorbable polyglactin mesh than in the group with nonabsorbable mesh (67 vs. 11%, p = 0.02) After a mean follow-up of 49 months, 63% of the surviving patients had developed incisional hernia. Absorbable meshes did not yield better outcomes than nonabsorbable meshes in terms of complications and mortality rate. Conclusion Synthetic graft placement in the presence of intra-abdominal infection has a high risk of complications, regardless of whether absorbable (polyglactin) or non-absorbable mesh material (polypropylene or polyester) is used, and should be avoided if possible.     

Parietal reinforcement prostheses: an original intraperitoneal experimental study

Summary The use of prosthetic materials is widely accepted for incisional and complex hernias, but the type of prosthesis in the abdominal wall still arouses acute controversy. We report an original experimental protocol testing three material placed intraperitoneally in the rat: a polyester mesh, a compound prosthesis (juxtaposition of a polyester mesh and a mesh of polyglactin 910) and a composite prosthesis (where fibers of polyester and polyglactin 910 were woven in the same mesh). There were two main criteria for assessment: the biologic tolerance to the material on the one hand, characterized histologically by the ratio of the surface of fibrosis to the surface of the inflammatory granuloma in contact with the material, and the nature of the adhesions between prosthesis and abdominal wall and the intraperitoneal viscera on the other. Statistical analysis of the results led to a preference for the homogeneous polyester prosthesis, compared with compound and composite prostheses (polyester and polyglactin 910) and to abandonment of the intraperitoneal site for insertion of such materials.     

The use of a biodegradable mesh to prevent radiation-associated small-bowel injury.

Radiation-associated small bowel injury occurs in up to 50% of patients receiving postoperative radiotherapy following pelvic cancer surgery. We describe our experience using a biodegradable mesh that allows the small bowel to be supported above the pelvic inlet and is totally absorbed following radiation therapy. Between 1985 and 1989, 45 procedures were performed in patients with carcinoma of the rectum (anterior resection in 15 patients, abdominoperineal resection in 23 patients, pelvic exenteration in six patients, and proctocolectomy in one patient). In 30 patients a polyglycolic acid (Dexon) mesh was used, and in 15 patients a polyglactin 910 (Vicryl) mesh was used. Forty-four patients received postoperative radiotherapy. The mean (+/- SEM) dose was 56.8 +/- 18.4 Gy. There were no immediate complications related to the mesh. Follow-up ranged from 12 to 53 months (median follow-up, 34 months). With the exception of two patients who had a polyglactin 910 mesh and who developed bowel obstruction due to adhesions under the anterior abdominal wall, there has been no documented incidence of clinical radiation-associated small bowel injury. The use of the absorbable mesh may permit us to use higher doses of postoperative radiotherapy without the associated hazard of radiation-associated small bowel injury.     

A randomized clinical trial comparing two methods of fascia closure following midline laparotomy.

Three hundred forty women undergoing midline laparotomy were randomized into an interrupted suture (polyglactin 910, size 1) or a continuous suture (polyglyconate, size 0) closure group. The two groups were well balanced with respect to various risk factors for postoperative wound complications. Early evaluation revealed no differences between the continuous and interrupted suture groups with respect to wound infection (3% vs 1%), superficial wound dehiscence (2% vs 4%), and deep wound dehiscence (0.6% vs 0%). Late evaluation showed no differences between the two groups either. Continuous polyglyconate and interrupted polyglactin 910 sutures had a similar incidence of suture fistula (0% vs 2%), wound pain (1% vs 2%), and incisional hernia (3% vs 4%). Continuous closure was done faster and resulted in less foreign-body suture material. Despite its smaller diameter, the polyglyconate suture also retains a higher tensile strength after surgery than does the quicker-degrading polyglactin 910 suture. Results of this study lead to the conclusion that a running polyglyconate suture is the better choice for closure of the abdominal-wall fascia following midline laparotomy.     

Repair of massive septic abdominal wall defects with Marlex mesh

Marlex mesh was used to close the abdominal wall defect in six patients with septic wound dehiscence and intra-abdominal infection. The mesh was implanted under local anesthesia and served as a protective covering for the bowel and allowed early ambulation, including prone positioning of the patient for easier wound care. In four surviving patients, the Marlex mesh was covered by full thickness skin flaps after granulation tissue had covered the material. No patients had infected sinus tract formation or extrusion. Two patients had incisional hernias develop when the Marlex mesh was not sutured to the abdominal wall permanently. The use of Marlex mesh to cover infected defects in the abdominal wall when primary closure cannot be accomplished is suggested by our experience.     

Use of negative pressure wound therapy in the management of infected abdominal wounds containing mesh: an analysis of outcomes

The purpose of this study was to examine the clinical outcomes of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) using reticulated open-cell foam (ROCF) in the adjunctive management of abdominal wounds with exposed and known infected synthetic mesh. A non randomised, retrospective review of medical records for 21 consecutive patients with infected abdominal wounds treated with NPWT was conducted. All abdominal wounds contained exposed synthetic mesh [composite, polypropylene (PP), or knitted polyglactin 910 (PG) mesh]. Demographic and bacteriological data, wound history, pre-NPWT and comparative post-NPWT, operative procedures and complications, hospital length of stay (LOS) and wound healing outcomes were all analysed. Primary endpoints measured were (1) hospital LOS prior to initiation of NPWT, (2) total time on NPWT, (3) hospital LOS from NPWT initiation to discharge and (4) wound closure status at discharge. A total of 21 patients with abdominal wounds with exposed, infected mesh were treated with NPWT. Aetiology of the wounds was ventral hernia repair (n = 11) and acute abdominal wall defect (n = 10). Prior to NPWT initiation, the mean hospital LOS for the composite, PP and PG meshes were 76 days (range: 21-171 days), 51 days (range: 32-62 days) and 19 days (range: 12-39 days), respectively. The mean hospital LOS following initiation of NPWT for wounds with exposed composite, PP and PG mesh were 28, 31 and 32 days, respectively. Eighteen of the 21 wounds (86%) reached full closure after a mean time of 26 days of NPWT and a mean hospital LOS of 30 days postinitiation of NPWT. Three wounds, all with composite mesh left in situ, did not reach full closure, although all exhibited decreased wound dimensions, granulating beds and decreased surface area exposure of mesh. During NPWT/ROCF, one hypoalbuminemic patient with exposed PP mesh developed an enterocutaneous fistula over a prior enterotomy site. This patient subsequently underwent total mesh extraction, takedown of the fistula and PP mesh replacement followed by reinstitution of NPWT and flap closure. In addition to appropriate systemic antibiotics and nutritional optimisation, the adjunctive use of NPWT resulted in successful closure of 86% of infected abdominal wounds with exposed prosthetic mesh. Patient hospital LOS (except those with PG mesh), operative procedures and readmissions were decreased during NPWT compared with treatment prior to NPWT. Future multi-site prospective, controlled studies would provide a strong evidence base from which treatment decisions could be made in the management of these challenging and costly cases.     

Intraperitoneal Mesh Implantation for Fascial Dehiscence and Open Abdomen

Background

Postoperative fascial dehiscence and open abdomen are severe postoperative complications and are associated with surgical site infections, fistula, and hernia formation at long-term follow-up. This study was designed to investigate whether intraperitoneal implantation of a composite prosthetic mesh is feasible and safe.

Methods

A total of 114 patients with postoperative fascial dehiscence and open abdomen who had undergone surgery between 2001 and 2009 were analyzed retrospectively. Contaminated (wound class 3) or dirty wounds (wound class 4) were present in all patients. A polypropylene-based composite mesh was implanted intraperitoneally in 51 patients, and in 63 patients the abdominal wall was closed without mesh implantation. The primary endpoint was incidence of incisional hernia, and the incidence of enterocutaneous fistula was a secondary endpoint.

Results

The incidence of enterocutaneous fistulas after wound closure post-fascial dehiscence (13% vs. 6% without and with mesh, respectively) or post-open abdomen (22% vs. 28% without and with mesh, respectively) was not significantly different. The incidence of incisional hernia was significantly lower with mesh implantation compared with no-mesh implantation in both contaminated (4% vs. 28%; p?=?0.025) and dirty abdominal cavities (5% vs. 34%; p?=?0.01).

Conclusions

Intra-abdominal contamination is not a contraindication for intra-abdominal mesh implantation. The incidence of enterocutaneous fistula is not elevated despite the presence of contamination. The rate of incisional hernias is significantly reduced after intraperitoneal mesh implantation for postoperative fascial dehiscence or open abdomen.     

Repair of large midline incisional hernias with polypropylene mesh: Comparison of three operative techniques

Polypropylene mesh is widely used for the reconstruction of incisional hernias that cannot be closed primarily. Several techniques have been advocated to implant the mesh. The objective of this study was to evaluate, retrospectively, early and late results of three different techniques, onlay, inlay, and underlay. The records of 53 consecutive patients with a large midline incisional hernia — 25 women and 28 men, mean age 60.4 (range 28–94) — were reviewed. Polypropylene mesh was implanted using the onlay technique in 13 patients, inlay in 23 patients, and underlay in 17 patients. Either the greater omentum or a polyglactin mesh was interponated between the mesh and the viscera. The records of these 53 patients were reviewed with respect to: size and cause of the hernia, pre- and postoperative mortality and morbidity, with special attention to wound complications. Patients were invited to attend the outpatient clinic at least 12 months after implantation of the mesh for physical examination of the abdominal wall. Postoperative complications occurred in 14 (26.4%) patients. The onlay technique had significantly more complications, as compared to both other techniques. Reherniation occurred in 15 (28.3%) patients. The reherniation rate of the inlay technique was significantly higher than after the underlay technique (44% vs 12%, P=0.03) and tended to be higher than the onlay technique (44% vs 23%, P=0.22). Repair of large midline incisional hernias with the use of a polypropylene mesh carries a high risk of complications and has a high reherniation rate. The underlay technique seems to be the better technique.     

Artificial mesh as an aid in abdominal wall closure in postoperative peritonitis, postoperative abdominal wall dehiscence and reconstruction of the abdominal wall

Plastic mesh was utilized for repairing abdominal wall defects and postoperative wound dehiscence. In case of postoperative peritonitis the insertion of mesh without closing the skin provides a decrease of intra-abdominal pressure and an effective drainage of the abdominal cavity. The use of mesh in 27 patients shows the advantage of an absorbable mesh compared with a non-absorbable one.     

Wound dehiscence: outcome comparison for sutured and mesh reconstructed patients

Purpose

Treatment guidelines for abdominal wound dehiscence (WD) are lacking. The primary aim of the study was to compare suture to mesh repair in WD patients concerning incisional hernia incidence. Secondary aims were to compare recurrent WD, morbidity, mortality and long-term abdominal wall complaints.

Methods

A retrospective chart review of 46 consecutive patients operated for WD between January 2010 and August 2012 was conducted. Physical examination and a questionnaire enquiry were performed in January 2013.

Results

Six patients were treated by vacuum-assisted wound closure and mesh-mediated fascial traction (VAWCM) before definitive closure. Three patients died early resulting in 23 patients closed by suture and 20 by mesh repair. Five sutured, but no mesh repair patients had recurrent WD (p = 0.051) with a mortality of 60 %. Finally, 18 sutured and 21 mesh repair patients were eligible for follow-up. The incidence of incisional hernia was higher for the sutured patients (53 vs. 5 %, p = 0.002), while mesh repair patients had a higher short-term morbidity rate (76 vs. 28 %, p = 0.004). Abdominal wall complaints were rare in both groups.

Conclusions

Suture of WD was afflicted with a high incidence of recurrent WD and incisional hernia formation. Mesh repair overcomes these problems at the cost of more wound complications. VAWCM seems to be an alternative for treating contaminated patients until definitive closure is possible. Long-term abdominal wall complaints are uncommon after WD treatment.     

抗菌薇乔缝线预防胃肠急诊手术切口感染的临床研究

目的评价抗菌薇乔缝线在预防胃肠急诊手术切口感染中的作用。方法前瞻性地在遵义医学院附属医院胃肠外科2009年5月至2010年8月期间共实施的412例胃肠急诊手术患者中随机选择198例患者在关腹时采用抗菌薇乔缝线(抗菌薇乔缝线组),其余214例患者采用传统丝线缝合(传统丝线组)。分析2组患者可能影响切口愈合的因素及比较2组切口感染发生率。结果 2组患者的性别、年龄、体重指数、合并糖尿病、HIV感染、近期内使用免疫抑制剂、糖皮质激素或类固醇、手术切口类型、术中出血量及手术时间方面的比较差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05),具有可比性。切口感染率在抗菌薇乔缝线组〔3.0%(6/198)〕明显低于传统丝线组〔11.7%(25/214)〕,P<0.001。2组患者按手术切口分组:Ⅲ类切口感染率在抗菌薇乔缝线组〔3.5%(5/141)〕明显低于传统丝线组〔14.3%(22/154)〕,P<0.001。2组患者按手术时间分组:手术时间≥120 min时的切口感染率在抗菌薇乔缝线组〔3.3%(2/60)〕明显低于传统丝线组〔21.2%(11/52)〕,P=0.008。结论抗菌薇乔缝线较普通丝线缝线有助于降低Ⅲ类切口及手术时间≥120 min的胃肠急诊手术的切口感染率。     

Intraoperative handling and wound healing: controlled clinical trial comparing coated VICRYL plus antibacterial suture (coated polyglactin 910 suture with triclosan) with coated VICRYL suture (coated polyglactin 910 suture)

BACKGROUND: Coated polyglactin 910 suture with triclosan was developed recently in order to imbue the parent suture, coated polyglactin 910, with antibacterial activity against the most common organisms that cause surgical site infections (SSI). Because such alterations could alter the physical properties of the suture, this study sought to compare the intraoperative handling and wound healing characteristics of coated polyglactin 910 suture with triclosan and traditional coated polyglactin 910 suture in pediatric patients undergoing various general surgical procedures. METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized, controlled, open-label, comparative, single-center study. Pediatric patients (age 1-18 years) undergoing various surgical procedures were randomized in a 2:1 ratio to treatment with either coated polyglactin 910 suture with triclosan or coated polyglactin 910 suture. The primary endpoint was the surgeon's assessment of the overall intraoperative handling of coated polyglactin 910 suture with triclosan and traditional coated polyglactin 910 suture without triclosan. The secondary endpoints included specific intraoperative suture handling measures and wound healing assessments. The suture handling measures were (1) ease of passage through tissue; (2) first-throw knot holding; (3) knot tie-down smoothness; (4) knot security; (5) surgical handling; (6) surgical hand; (7) memory; and (8) suture fraying. Assessment of wound healing included the following: Healing progress, infection, edema, erythema, skin temperature, seroma, suture sinus, and pain. Adverse events were recorded. RESULTS: Scores for intraoperative handling were favorable and not significantly different for both sutures, although coated polyglactin 910 suture with triclosan received more "excellent" scores (71% vs. 59%). Wound healing characteristics were comparable for both sutures except for pain on postoperative day 1. Significantly fewer patients treated with polyglactin 910 suture with triclosan reported pain on day 1 than patients who received the other suture (68% vs. 89%, p = 0.01). The overall incidence of adverse events was 18%; none was devicerelated. CONCLUSIONS: Coated polyglactin 910 suture with triclosan performed as well or better than traditional coated polyglactin 910 suture in pediatric patients undergoing general surgical procedures. The incidence of postoperative pain was significantly less in patients treated with coated polyglactin 910 suture with triclosan than the traditional suture. We speculate that polyglactin 910 suture with triclosan, by inhibiting bacterial colonization of the suture, reduced pain that can be an indicator of "subclinical" infection. Coated polyglactin 910 suture with triclosan may be a useful alternative in patients at increased risk of developing SSI.     

Arterial regeneration following polyglactin 910 suture mesh grafting.

A suture mesh of polyglactin 910 [Vicryl (polyglactin 910) suture mesh] was placed as a patch graft into the thoracic aorta of 23 growing pigs. In three other pigs the mesh was grafted in the form of a tube to replace a short aortic defect. The biological processes taking place in the grafted area were studied by morphological methods. The following observations were made: (1) Hemostasis readily occurred by fibrin, platelet, and erythrocyte embedding of the mesh. (2) Early outgrowth of smooth muscle cells around the mesh took place from the normal aortic media and from a newly formed subintimal smooth muscle layer. (3) The newly formed arterial tissue was completely endothelialized within 20 days. (4) The polyglactin mesh had disappeared almost completely at 40 days, but the new wall seemed to retain sufficient strength throughout the observation time. (5) Only irregular deposition of elastic fibrils occurred, but in other respects the new tissue structurally resembled normal arterial tissue.     

Vypro II mesh in hernia repair: impact of polyglactin on long-term incorporation in rats

BACKGROUND: To the Vypro II mesh, a large-pore-sized multifilamentous polypropylene mesh for hernia repair, supplementary polyglactin 910 multifilaments were added to improve intraoperative handling. As it has been suggested that polyglactin induces fibroplastic reactions and wound complications, this study was designed to evaluate the long-term tissue reaction to polyglactin in the Vypro II mesh. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two mesh materials, the Vypro II composite mesh (PP + PG) and the pure polypropylene variant (PP), were compared after inlay implantation in a standardized rodent animal model. After 14, 28, 42, 56, 84 and 112 days of implantation, histological analysis of the inflammatory response was performed: material absorption, inflammatory tissue reaction, fibrosis and granuloma formation were investigated. RESULTS: Total absorption of polyglactin filaments of the Vypro II mesh occurred between 56 and 84 days of implantation. Both the inflammatory and the fibrotic reaction were initially increased in the PP + PG mesh group. These differences disappeared in the following implantation period. After 112 days, inflammation was even less pronounced in the PP + PG mesh group. CONCLUSION: The present data confirm a short-term polyglactin-induced increase in inflammation and fibrosis around implanted Vypro II meshes in rats. With regard to the long-term tissue response, even an anti-inflammatory property of polyglactin multifilaments in low-weight and large-pored polypropylene meshes cannot be ruled out.     

Negative pressure wound therapy with instillation,a cost-effective treatment for abdominal mesh exposure

Purpose

Negative pressure wound therapy with instillation (NPWTi) has been proved to be a safe and effective treatment option for abdominal wall wound dehiscence with mesh exposure. Our aim in this study is to examine whether it is also cost-effective.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study with 45 patients treated for postoperative abdominal wall wound dehiscence and exposed mesh: 34 were treated with conventional wound therapy (CWT) and 11 with NPWTi. We carried out a cost analysis for each treatment group using the Diagnosis-related group (DRG) system and a second evaluation using the calculated costs “per hospital stay”. The differences between NPWTi and CWT were calculated with both evaluation systems. Comparative analysis was performed using the Mann–Whitney U test.

Results

Mean costs using the DRG estimation were 29,613.71€ for the CWT group and 15,093.37€ for the NPWTi group, and according to the calculated expenses “per hospital stay”, 17,322.88€ for the CWT group and 15,284.22€ for the NPWTi group. NPWTi showed a reduction in the total expense of treatment, related to a reduction in episodes of hospitalization and number of surgeries required to achieve wound closure. However, differences were not statistically significant in our sample.

Conclusions

NPWTi proves to be an efficient treatment option for abdominal wall wound dehiscence with mesh exposure, compared to CWT. More trials aimed to optimize treatment protocols will lead to an additional increase in NPWTi efficiency. In addition, to generalize our results, further studies with larger samples would be necessary.

     

Polypropylene mesh closure of infected abdominal wounds

The management of extensive abdominal tissue loss in the presence of intraabdominal infection or wound dehiscence challenges the surgeon's ingenuity in wound care. Radical debridement and primary fascial closure may be impossible due to tissue loss or extensive bowel edema. The use of a synthetic mesh to bridge the fascial defect and maintain the integrity of the abdominal cavity may initially appear to be an attractive alternative to simply leaving the viscera exposed. However, this report and review of the literature document the frequent complications and high morbidity associated with this technique. An overall complication rate approaching 80% can be anticipated if polypropylene mesh is used in this emergency situation. Two modifications of wound care appear to markedly diminish the incidence of serious complications. Covering the mesh with full-thickness skin or muscle flaps in the early postoperative period, or removing the mesh at the earliest time conducive to fascial closure (within 2 weeks) reduced the overall complication rate from 55% to 15% in this review. However, it is often impossible to predict which patients will be amenable to early mesh removal, and full-thickness coverage of a persistently infected wound is usually doomed to failure. Despite the occasional usefulness of these modifications, this review suggests that polypropylene mesh in the emergency setting has an unacceptably high complication rate, and alternative methods of wound care in these complex situations should be considered.     

Vicryl mesh in pelvic floor reconstruction

A new synthetic absorbable mesh made of polyglactin 910 (Vicryl) fiber was used to reconstruct the pelvic floor in seven women undergoing pelvic exenteration. The technique is described. The follow-up ranged from three to 31 months and no patient developed a bowel problem. The material seems to be appropriate for this use, is completely absorbed, and acts as a latticework for the deposition of granulation tissue. The technique can be applied in patients requiring pelvic irradiation following surgery for malignant neoplasms of the gastrointestinal or genitourinary tracts. The small bowel is effectively held out of the pelvis and the radiation field, and is spared the effects of the radiation beam.