Use of a tissue expander and a polyglactic acid (Vicryl) mesh to reduce radiation enteritis: case report and literature review

Pediatr Surg Int. 2005 Sep;21(9):755-7. doi: 10.1007/s00383-005-1490-x. Epub 2005 Oct 20.

Abstract

Management of stage IV rhabdomyosarcoma comprises systemic chemotherapy with local control by conservative surgery and radiotherapy. Abdominal radiotherapy may lead to radiation enteritis causing such serious morbidity as malabsorption, fistulae or stricture formation. The risk increases with the dose of radiation and length of bowel involved. Various methods have been utilised to displace the bowel from the radiation field. Usually these are applied in patients requiring pelvic irradiation. We report a case of metastatic alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma requiring radiotherapy to the right renal bed. Effective displacement of small bowel from the tumour site was achieved by a combined use of a tissue expander and Vicryl mesh. There were no complications from the surgery. This is the first report discussing combined use of a tissue expander and Vicryl mesh to aid radiotherapy to the renal fossa in a paediatric patient.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy
  • Child
  • Enteritis / diagnosis
  • Enteritis / etiology
  • Enteritis / surgery*
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Intestine, Small / radiation effects*
  • Intestine, Small / surgery
  • Kidney Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Kidney Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Kidney Neoplasms / secondary
  • Male
  • Mediastinal Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Mediastinal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Mediastinal Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Polyglactin 910*
  • Prosthesis Implantation / instrumentation*
  • Radiation Injuries / diagnosis
  • Radiation Injuries / etiology
  • Radiation Injuries / surgery*
  • Rhabdomyosarcoma, Alveolar / diagnosis
  • Rhabdomyosarcoma, Alveolar / radiotherapy
  • Rhabdomyosarcoma, Alveolar / secondary
  • Surgical Mesh*
  • Tissue Expansion Devices*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Polyglactin 910