Soft tissue damages after radiotherapy are an uncommon but serious complica
tion. Late damage after radiation is the principal dose-limiting factor in
radiation therapy today and is dependent on vascular pathology as a result
of radiation. Pentoxifylline is a methylxanthine derivative that produces d
ose-related improvement in blood flow, lower blood viscosity, improved eryt
hrocyte flexibility, and increased tissue oxygen levels. An agent that incr
eases blood flow and tissue oxygen content may contribute to enhanced heali
ng of soft tissue pathology. Sixteen adult New Zealand rabbits were separat
ed into 2 groups and inspected for 30 weeks after radiation. We noted acute
and chronic reactions and pathologic changes in different regions of the h
ead and neck of rabbits. The prophylactic administration of pentoxifylline
in the postirradiation period can reduce late soft tissue pathology, but it
does not affect acute radiation reactions.