INTRARECTAL FORMALIN APPLICATION, AN EFFECTIVE TREATMENT FOR GRADE-III HEMORRHAGIC RADIATION PROCTITIS

Haemorrhagic radiation proctitis (HRP) is infrequently seen amongst th e patients who are either undergoing or have undergone radiotherapy to the pelvis. We treated 16 documented cases of HRP, who did not respon d to conventional steroid retention enemas, with 4% formalin applicati on. It was observed that the rectal bleeding was controlled completely in 81% cases in median follow up of 11 months (range 6-17 months) and diversion colostomy could be avoided in all the cases. The effectiven ess of local formalin application in severe HRP is described in this a rticle.