The management of radiation proctitis.

This paper deals with the clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of acute and delayed forms of radiation injury of the rectum. A series of thirty-seven patients with this condition is reported and the current literature is reviewed. Although there have been no major advances in the treatment of this problem, an improvement in results of operative procedures can be expected with a better understanding of the pathology, the use of parenteral nutrition, and the introduction of several new techniques of bowel anastomosis. Aspects of prevention are also discussed.