[Radiation enteritis after pelvic irradiation of cancer of the rectum. Prevention by omentoplasty and pelvic partitioning with polyglactin 910 mesh].

To prevent radiation enteritis during post-operative irradiation of the pelvis for rectal carcinoma, the greater omentum, fed by the left gastro-epiploic pedicle, is pulled down into the pelvis which is separated from the abdomen by an absorbable polyglactin 910 mesh. The mesh, under tension, is attached superiorly to the lips of the posterior peritoneal section and anteriorly to the upper border of the pubis. This procedure has been used in seven patients, four of whom have been irradiated post-operatively without any gastrointestinal complication.