Morbidity and mortality associated with intraoperative radiotherapy.

From May 1984 through July 1988, 67 patients have been treated with intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) at LDS Hospital. We conducted a detailed evaluation of the morbidity and mortality related to our intraoperative experience. Major complications were classified as those requiring reoperation or resulting in death. Minor complications included all others that could not be attributed to tumor growth or recurrence. Of twelve major complications, three resulted in death. Nonfatal complications included anastomotic leak (5), wound dehiscence (1), gastric outlet obstruction (1), and bowel obstruction (1). When compared with historical controls undergoing comparable surgery at this institution prior to the availability of IORT, complication rates were similar. We feel in our institution, intraoperative radiotherapy has not added to morbidity of aggressive abdominal surgery.