Wang J, Boerma M, Fu Q, Hauer-Jensen M, et al.
Hernia : the journal of hernias and abdominal wall surgery. Date of publication 2006 Dec 1;volume 10(6):502-6.
1. Hernia. 2006 Dec;10(6):502-6.
Radiation responses in skin and connective tissues: effect on wound healing and
surgical outcome.
Wang J(1), Boerma M, Fu Q, Hauer-Jensen M.
Author information:
(1)Department of Surgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little
Rock, AR 72205, USA.
Radiation therapy, either alone or in combination with other types of treatment,
is responsible for 40% of cancer cures and 70% of all cancer patients receive
radiation therapy at some point during the course of their disease. Radiation
therapy has profound effects, both acute and long-term, on skin and connective
tissues. Radiation therapy also affects the time course and end result of wound
healing, and the risk of postoperative complications. For example, radiation
therapy of tumors in the abdomen or in the abdominal wall inevitably affects the
integrity of abdominal wall structures and may adversely affect the outcome of
operations on the abdominal wall, for example hernia surgery. All surgeons will
encounter patients who have undergone or will receive radiation therapy. In these
situations, it is important to carefully consider the optimum timing of surgery
relative to radiation therapy, to decide which perioperative precautions are
needed to minimize the risk of complications, to estimate and inform the patient
about the increased risk of complications, and, if surgery is done before a
planned course of radiation therapy, to consider how soon after surgery it is
safe to commence the radiation treatment. This review will (1) describe features
of acute and long term radiation-induced changes in skin and connective tissues;
(2) provide a brief overview of the biological mechanisms underlying these
changes; and (3) discuss practical considerations that have direct relevance to
surgical decision making and postoperative outcome.
DOI: 10.1007/s10029-006-0150-y
PMID: 17047884 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
