PALLIATIVE INTESTINAL SURGERY FOR PATIENTS WITH CARCINOMA OF THE CERVIX

A retrospective review was carried out on 40 patients who underwent su rgery for an intestinal complication that occurred in association with persistent or recurrent cervical cancer. All patients had previously received radiotherapy. Five patients had undergone prior exenterative surgery. Fourteen patients had a small bowel obstruction, and 18 had, as part of their problem, some type of fistula to the vagina or bladde r. There were 2 postoperative deaths. The mean and median survivals fo r the remaining 38 patients were 9.5 months and 5.5 months, respective ly. A detailed account of patient subgroups is given in the text. Mana gement of this heterogeneous group of patients must be highly individu alized. Major surgical intervention does appear to be reasonable in se lected patients.