[Types and treatment of easily-missed, misdiagnosed intestinal obstruction after radical radiotherapy of cervical cancer].

Objective

To investigate the types and treatment methods of easily-missed, misdiagnosed intestinal obstruction after radical radiotherapy of cervical cancer.

Methods

The clinical data of 21 patients with intestinal obstruction after radical radiotherapy of cervical cancer in our hospital from May 2013 to May 2019 were collected, including the radiation dose, obstruction symptoms, surgical methods and treatment outcomes. The types and treatment methods of intestinal obstruction after radical radiotherapy of cervical cancer were further investigated.

Results

The intestinal obstruction occurred in 21 patients with cervical cancer after radical radiotherapy. All patients were initially diagnosed as rectal obstruction and underwent the transverse colostomy. The obstruction symptoms were successfully resolved in 15 patients while failed in other 6 patients who then underwent the re-operation. Four patients with rectal obstruction accompanied by middle or terminal ileum obstruction underwent ileostomy, the other 2 patients with terminal ileum obstruction underwent the transverse ileal anastomosis and partial intestines exclusion surgery. All of the obstruction symptoms were alleviated.

Conclusions

Rectal is the major obstruction site of the cervical cancer patients with intestinal obstruction after radical radiotherapy. However, a possibility of obstruction at the middle or end of the ileum also exists. Therefore, it is very important to avoid misdiagnosis and conduct appropriate operative treatment according to the obstruction site.