OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between the TCM Syndrome Differentiation-types of congestive heart failure (CHF) and thyroid hormones, including triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), as well as cardiac function parameters, including left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), mean velocity of circumferentid fiber shortening (mVcf) and A peak/E peak (A/E).

METHODSOne hundred patients with CHF were divided into 4 Syndrome Differentiation-type groups, their cardiac function parameters, ANP and thyroid hormones were determined and compared with those in the 23 subjects in the control group.

RESULTSIn CHF patients with edema and blood stasis Syndrome type, the level of plasma ANP was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05); level of T3 was significantly lower than that in the control group and in CHF patients of other three (Xin-qi deficiency, Yin-deficiency and blood stasis) Syndrome groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.05 and P < 0.01); levels of LVEF and mVcf were significantly lower than those in the other three Syndrome groups (all P < 0.01). Level of T4 in other three Syndrome groups significantly increased than that in the edema and blood stasis Syndrome type. A/E value showed a higher level in patients of all TCM type than that in the control (P < 0.01). Correlation analysis showed that T3 was positively correlated with LVEF and T4 (r = 0.200, P < 0.05, and r = 0.293, P < 0.01), and negatively correlated with ANP (r = -0.263, P < 0.01); T4 was negatively correlated with A/E (r = -0.226, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe lowering of T3 and T4 and increasing of ANP may be one of the important reasons for lowering of LVEF in CHF patients with edema and blood stasis Syndrome-type. The decrease of T4 may be one of the important reasons for elevation of A/E and aggravation of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in CHF patients of all the 4 TCM Syndrome-types.

Adult ; Aged ; Atrial Natriuretic Factor ; metabolism ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Heart Failure ; blood ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Contraction ; Stroke Volume ; physiology ; Thyroid Hormones ; blood ; Thyrotropin ; blood ; Thyroxine ; blood ; Triiodothyronine ; blood ; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left ; physiopathology ; Ventricular Function, Left

Objective: To explore clinical features and prognosis factors of surgical complications after intersphincteric resection (ISR) for low rectal cancer following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Methods: The clinical data of 132 patients with low rectal cancer who underwent ISR following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy from September 2010 to June 2017 at Department of Colorectal Surgery, Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University were retrospectively reviewed. There were 100 males and 32 females, with the age of (52.9±11.4) years and distance to anal verge of 3.9 cm. Records of perioperative complication (POC) within 30 days after surgery, anastomotic leakage (AL), and anastomotic stenosis (AS) were analyzed. POC was recorded according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. AL was graded by ISREC system and classified into the early AL within 30 days after surgery and delayed AL beyond 30 days. AS was defined as narrowing of the bowel lumen at the anastomosis that prevented passage through a colonoscope with a 12 mm diameter. According to the shape of narrowing, AS was recorded as the stenosis in situ or stenosis with long-segment bowel above. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to identify risk factors of anastomotic complications. Results: Among the 132 patients, full-dose radiotherapy and diverting stoma were performed in 128 (97.0%) patients, respectively. In entire cohort, AL was found in 41 (31.1%) patients, including 32 patients with clinical leakage (24.2%). The median time for diagnosis of AL was 37 days (2 to 214 days) after surgery. There were 25 patients (18.9%) who were diagnosed with delayed AL beyond 30 days. Chronic presacral sinus formation was detected in 22 of 129 (17.1%) patients at 12 months from surgery. Among the 128 eligible patients, 36 (28.1%) were diagnosed as AS, including 24 (18.8%) patients with stenosis in situ and 12 (9.4%) patients with bowel stenosis above. After a median follow-up of 26 months, 7(5.3%) patients received permanent colostomy and the other 20(15.2%) patients retained a persistent ileostomy, owing to anastomotic complications. Results of multivariate analysis showed that radiation colitis was an independent prognosis factor of AL after ISR (OR=5.04, 95% CI: 2.05 to 12.43, P=0.000); male gender (OR=5.19, 95% CI: 1.24 to 21.75, P=0.024) and AL (OR=8.49, 95% CI: 3.32 to 21.70, P=0.000) were independent prognosis factors of AS after ISR. Conclusions Surgical complications are common after ISR for low rectal cancer patients with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. A high rate of AL is observed after long-term follow-up, which is associated with AS. Increasing awareness of anastomotic complications after ISR should be raised, especially for male patients with radiation colitis.

BACKGROUND:Among the pathogenic factors of cervical spondylosis,herniation of the intervertebral disc,dislocation of the facet joint and the stenosis of the intervertebral foramen are important factors leading to symptoms in patients.Moreover,inappropriate manipulation may aggravate the possibility of cervical disc rupture,leading to exacerbation of symptoms in patients. OBJECTIVE:To compare the effect between sagittal cervical manipulation and traditional cervical rotation manipulation on the area of the intervertebral disc,facet joint and intervertebral foramen at the operative segment by the finite element analysis. METHODS:The neck CT data of a male volunteer with a normal neck were selected and imported into Mimics 17.0 three-dimensional reconstruction software.Geo-magic Studio 12.0,Solidworks 2017 and Ansys Workbench 17.0 software were used for the construction of the finite element model of cervical vertebrae(C3-6)including intervertebral disc and articular cartilage.The lower end plate of the C5 vertebral body was fixed.A uniformly distributed vertical downward 50 N load was applied on the upper surface of the upper vertebral body(C3).The stress,deformation and deformation direction of the C4-5 intervertebral disc,joint capsule stress,the displacement of facet joints and the area of bilateral intervertebral foramen were compared between sagittal cervical manipulation and traditional rotation reduction. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)When using the rotation technique,the maximum normal equivalent stress(von Mises stress)of the C4-5 disc was 8.06 MPa;the total deformation was 1.05 mm,and the fiber ring expanded to the left and outside.When using the sagittal tip lifting technique,the maximum normal equivalent stress(von Mises stress)of the C4-5 disc was 2.60 MPa;the total deformation was 0.90 mm,and the fiber ring expanded to the left and back.Compared with the rotation technique,the pressure of the cervical manipulation technique on the disc was less(about 32.3%of the rotation technique),and the deformation degree of the disc was also light(about 85.7%of the rotation technique).(2)When the rotation technique was used,the maximum stresses of the left and right articular capsule ligaments were 0.37 MPa and 1.69 MPa,respectively.The overall displacement of the facet joint was 2.21 mm.The area of the right intervertebral foramen decreased by about 3.8%and the area of the left intervertebral foramen increased by about 0.9%.When the sagittal end lifting manipulation was performed,the maximum stresses of the left and right articular capsule ligaments were 0.27 MPa and 1.70 MPa,respectively;the overall displacement of the facet joint was 1.63 mm;the area of the right intervertebral foramen increased by about 2.6%,and the area of the left intervertebral foramen decreased by about 0.9%.Compared with rotation manipulation,sagittal end lifting manipulation had fewer changes in the displacement of facet joint,joint capsule stress and intervertebral foramen area,so it was safer to operate.(3)In conclusion,compared with cervical rotation manipulation,sagittal end lifting manipulation has fewer changes in facet joint displacement,intervertebral disc stress/deformation degree,joint capsule stress,and foraminal area.In clinical practice,more appropriate manipulation should be selected based on biomechanical results after an accurate assessment of patients'conditions.

Objective: To investigate the safety and efficacy of surgical treatment for chronic radiation intestinal injury. Methods: A descriptive cohort study was performed. Clinical data of 73 patients with definite radiation history and diagnosed clinically as chronic radiation intestinal injury, undergoing operation at Department of Colorectal Surgery, the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from January 1, 2012 to February 28, 2019, were reviewed and analyzed retrospectively. Patients did not undergo operation or only received adhesiolysis were excluded. All the patients had preoperative examination and overall evaluation of the disease. According to severity of intestinal obstruction and patients′ diet, corresponding nutritional support and conservative treatment were given. Surgical methods: The one-stage bowel resection and anastomosis was the first choice for surgical treatment of chronic radiation intestinal injury. Patients with poor nutritional condition were given enterostomy and postoperative enteral nutrition and second-stage stoma closure and intestinal anastomosis if nutritional condition improved. For those who were unable to perform stoma closure, a permanent stoma should be performed. Patients with severe abdominal adhesion which was difficult to separate, enterostomy or bypass surgery after adhesiolysis would be the surgical choice. For patients with tumor metastasis or recurrence, enterostomy or bypass surgery should be selected. Observation parameters: the overall and major (Clavien-Dindo grades III to V) postoperative complication within 30 days after surgery or during hospitalization; mortality within postoperative 30 days; postoperative hospital stay; time to postoperative recovery of enteral nutrition; time to removal of drainage tube. Results: Of the 73 patients who had been enrolled in this study, 10 were male and 63 were female with median age of 54 (range, 34-80) years. Preoperative evaluation showed that 61 patients had intestinal stenosis, 63 had intestinal obstruction, 11 had intestinal perforation, 20 had intestinal fistula, 3 had intestinal bleeding, and 6 had abdominal abscess, of whom 64(87.7%) patients had multiple complications. Tumor recurrence or metastasis was found in 15 patients. A total of 65(89.0%) patients received preoperative nutritional support, of whom 35 received total parenteral nutrition and 30 received partial parenteral nutrition. The median preoperative nutritional support duration was 8.5 (range, 6.0-16.2) days. The rate of one-stage intestine resection was 69.9% (51/73), and one-stage enterostomy was 23.3% (17/73). In the 51 patients undergoing bowel resection, the average length of resected bowel was (50.3±49.1) cm. Among the 45 patients with intestinal anastomosis, 4 underwent manual anastomosis and 41 underwent stapled anastomosis; 36 underwent side-to-side anastomosis, 5 underwent end-to-side anastomosis, and 4 underwent end-to-end anastomosis. Eighty postoperative complications occurred in 39 patients and the overall postoperative complication rate was 53.4% (39/73), including 39 moderate to severe complications (Clavien-Dindo grade III-V) in 20 patients (27.4%, 20/73) and postoperative anastomotic leakage in 2 patients (2.7%, 2/73). The mortality within postoperative 30 days was 2.7% (2/73); both patients died of abdominal infection, septic shock, and multiple organ failure caused by anastomotic leakage. The median postoperative hospital stay was 13 (11, 23) days, the postoperative enteral nutrition time was (7.2±6.9) days and the postoperative drainage tube removal time was (6.3±4.2) days. Conclusions Surgical treatment, especially one-stage anastomosis, is safe and feasible for chronic radiation intestine injury. Defining the extent of bowel resection, rational selection of the anatomic position of the anastomosis and perioperative nutritional support treatment are the key to reduce postoperative complications.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of redo rectal resection and coloanal anastomosis.Methods:The retrospective and descriptive study was conducted. The clinicopatholo-gical data of 49 patients who underwent redo rectal resection and coloanal anastomosis for the treatment of local recurrence of tumors and failure of colorectal or coloanal anastomosis after rectal resection in the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from November 2012 to December 2021 were collected. There were 32 males and 17 females, aged 57(range,31-87)years. Redo rectal resection and coloanal anastomosis was performed according to the patient′s situations. Observa-tion indicators: (1) surgical situations; (2) postoperative situations; (3) follow-up. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and measurement data with skewed distri-bution were represented as M( Q1, Q3) or M(range). Count data were described as absolute numbers or percentages. Results:(1) Surgical situations. All 49 patients underwent redo rectal resection and coloanal anastomosis successfully, with the interval between the initial surgery and the reopera-tion as 14.2(7.1,24.3)months. The operation time and volume of intraoperative bold loss of 49 patients in the redo rectal resection and coloanal anastomosis was 313(251,398)minutes and 125(50,400)mL, respectively. Of the 49 patients, there were 38 cases receiving laparoscopic surgery including 12 cases with transanoscopic laparoscopic assisted surgery, 11 cases receiving open surgery including 2 cases as conversion to open surgery, there were 20 cases undergoing Bacon surgery, 14 cases undergoing Dixon surgery, 12 cases undergoing Parks surgery, 2 cases undergoing intersphincter resection and 1 case undergoing Kraske surgery, there were 20 cases undergoing rectum dragging out excision and secondary colonic anastomosis, 13 cases undergoing dragging out excision single anastomosis, 12 cases undergoing rectum dragging out excision double anastomosis, 4 cases undergoing first-stage manual anastomosis, there were 21 cases with enterostomy before surgery, 16 cases with prophylactic enterostomy after surgery, 12 cases without prophylactic enterostomy after surgery. The duration of postoperative hospital stay of 49 patients was (14±7)days. (2) Postoperative situations. Fifteen of 49 patients underwent postoperative complications, including 8 cases with grade Ⅱ Clevien-Dindo complications and 7 cases with ≥grade Ⅲ Clevien-Dindo complications. None of 49 patient underwent postoperative transferring to intensive care unit and no patient died during hospitalization. Results of postoperative histopathological examination in 23 patients with tumor local recurrence showed negative incision margin of the surgical specimen. (3) Follow-up. All 49 patients underwent post-operative follow-up of 90 days. There were 42 cases undergoing redo rectal resection and coloanal anastomosis successfully and 7 cases failed. Of the 37 patients with enterostomy, 20 cases failed in closing fistula, and 17 cases succeed. There were 46 patients receiving follow-up with the median time as 16.1(7.5,34.6)months. The questionnaire response rate for low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) score was 48.3%(14/29). Of the patients who underwent redo coloanal anastomosis and closure of stoma successfully, there were 9 cases with mild-to-moderate LARS.Conclusion:Redo rectal resection and coloanal anastomosis is safe and feasible for patients undergoing local recurr-ence of tumors and failure of colorectal or coloanal anastomosis after rectal resection, which can successfully restore intestinal continuity in patients and avoid permanent enterostomy.

Objective:To preliminarily evaluate the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic Parks procedure for chronic radiation proctopathy (CRP).Methods:A descriptive cohort study was carried out. The clinical and follow-up data of 19 patients who received laparoscopic Parks procedure due to CRP in the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from July 2013 to March 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Inclusion criteria: (1) serious late complications occurred after pelvic radiotherapy, e.g.serious intractable hematochezia (hemoglobin <70 g/L), intractable anal pain (numerical rating scale >7), rectostenosis, perforation, and fistula. (2) imaging examinations including colonoscopy, pelvic MRI and/or chest, abdomen and pelvic CT were performed before surgery to confirm the lesions. Exclusion criteria: (1) preoperative or intraoperative diagnosis of tumor recurrence; (2) only ostomy was performed after laparoscopic exploration; (3) after neoadjuvant radiotherapy for rectal cancer; (4) incomplete medical records. Surgical procedures: (1) Laparoscopic exploration: tumor recurrence was excluded, and the range of radioactive damage in the intestine was determined. Marks were made on the proximal sigmoid colon without grossly obvious edema, thickening or radioactive injuries. (2) Abdominal operation: the right mesentery of sigmoid colon and rectum was opened, inferior mesenteric vein and inferior mesenteric artery were divided and the Toldt gap was expanded inwards and cephalad. The outside of left hemicolon was freed, the gastrocolic ligament was opened, the splenic flexure was fully mobilized, and the rectum was separated from the rear, side and front to the lowest point. Then perineal operation was performed. (3) Perineal operation: the whole layer of rectum wall was cut thoroughly at 1cm below the lesion's lower margin, the space around the rectum was fully separated, the rectum and sigmoid colon was pulled out through the anus and cut off at the site of the grossly normal intestine, the diseased bowel was removed and a coloanal anastomosis was made. (4) A protective stoma was performed. Conditions of operation, complication and symptom relief were summarized. A descriptive statistic method was used to analyze the results.Results:All the 19 patients were female with a median age of 53 (interquartiles, 50, 56) years old, of whom 18 patients had primary cervical cancer. Surgical indications: 9 cases were rectovaginal fistula; 9 cases were intractable anal pain, among whom 7 were complicated with deep rectal ulcer; and 1 case was intractable hematochezia with deep rectal ulcer. Eighteen cases completed laparoscopic Parks procedure, while 1 case was converted to laparotomy. The median operative time was 215 (131, 270) minutes, the median bleeding volume was 50 (50, 100) ml, and the median hospital stay was 12 (11, 20) days. There was no perioperative death. Ten cases had postoperative complications, including 3 cases of serious complications (CD grade IIIb and above) within 30 days after operation, of whom one case developed pelvic infection caused by rectovaginal, rectovesical and rectourethral fistula and acute renal failure (IVa); 2 cases developed orifice prolapse and parastomal hernia (IIIb). Seven cases had anastomosis-related complications, including 4 cases of grade A anastomotic leakage and 3 cases of anastomotic stenosis. Symptoms of CRP in the whole group were significantly relieved or disappeared after one year of the operation. Five cases achieved stoma closure.Conclusions:Laparoscopic Parks procedure for chronic radiation proctopathy is safe and feasible, and can effectively improve symptoms. However, the incidence of anastomotic complications is high, so the surgical indications should be strictly controlled.

Objective:To preliminarily evaluate the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic Parks procedure for chronic radiation proctopathy (CRP).Methods:A descriptive cohort study was carried out. The clinical and follow-up data of 19 patients who received laparoscopic Parks procedure due to CRP in the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from July 2013 to March 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Inclusion criteria: (1) serious late complications occurred after pelvic radiotherapy, e.g.serious intractable hematochezia (hemoglobin <70 g/L), intractable anal pain (numerical rating scale >7), rectostenosis, perforation, and fistula. (2) imaging examinations including colonoscopy, pelvic MRI and/or chest, abdomen and pelvic CT were performed before surgery to confirm the lesions. Exclusion criteria: (1) preoperative or intraoperative diagnosis of tumor recurrence; (2) only ostomy was performed after laparoscopic exploration; (3) after neoadjuvant radiotherapy for rectal cancer; (4) incomplete medical records. Surgical procedures: (1) Laparoscopic exploration: tumor recurrence was excluded, and the range of radioactive damage in the intestine was determined. Marks were made on the proximal sigmoid colon without grossly obvious edema, thickening or radioactive injuries. (2) Abdominal operation: the right mesentery of sigmoid colon and rectum was opened, inferior mesenteric vein and inferior mesenteric artery were divided and the Toldt gap was expanded inwards and cephalad. The outside of left hemicolon was freed, the gastrocolic ligament was opened, the splenic flexure was fully mobilized, and the rectum was separated from the rear, side and front to the lowest point. Then perineal operation was performed. (3) Perineal operation: the whole layer of rectum wall was cut thoroughly at 1cm below the lesion's lower margin, the space around the rectum was fully separated, the rectum and sigmoid colon was pulled out through the anus and cut off at the site of the grossly normal intestine, the diseased bowel was removed and a coloanal anastomosis was made. (4) A protective stoma was performed. Conditions of operation, complication and symptom relief were summarized. A descriptive statistic method was used to analyze the results.Results:All the 19 patients were female with a median age of 53 (interquartiles, 50, 56) years old, of whom 18 patients had primary cervical cancer. Surgical indications: 9 cases were rectovaginal fistula; 9 cases were intractable anal pain, among whom 7 were complicated with deep rectal ulcer; and 1 case was intractable hematochezia with deep rectal ulcer. Eighteen cases completed laparoscopic Parks procedure, while 1 case was converted to laparotomy. The median operative time was 215 (131, 270) minutes, the median bleeding volume was 50 (50, 100) ml, and the median hospital stay was 12 (11, 20) days. There was no perioperative death. Ten cases had postoperative complications, including 3 cases of serious complications (CD grade IIIb and above) within 30 days after operation, of whom one case developed pelvic infection caused by rectovaginal, rectovesical and rectourethral fistula and acute renal failure (IVa); 2 cases developed orifice prolapse and parastomal hernia (IIIb). Seven cases had anastomosis-related complications, including 4 cases of grade A anastomotic leakage and 3 cases of anastomotic stenosis. Symptoms of CRP in the whole group were significantly relieved or disappeared after one year of the operation. Five cases achieved stoma closure.Conclusions:Laparoscopic Parks procedure for chronic radiation proctopathy is safe and feasible, and can effectively improve symptoms. However, the incidence of anastomotic complications is high, so the surgical indications should be strictly controlled.

Objective:To investigate the safety and efficacy of total pelvic exenteration (TPE) for treating late complications of radiation-induced pelvic injury.Methods:This was a descriptive case series study. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) confirmed radiation-induced pelvic injury after radiotherapy for pelvic malignancies; (2) late complications of radiation-induced pelvic injury, such as bleeding, perforation, fistula, and obstruction, involving multiple pelvic organs; (3) TPE recommended by a multidisciplinary team; (4) patient in good preoperative condition and considered fit enough to tolerate TPE; and (5) patient extremely willing to undergo the procedure and accept the associated risks. The exclusion criteria were as follows: (1) preoperative or intraoperative diagnosis of tumor recurrence or metastasis; (2) had only undergone diversion or bypass surgery after laparoscopic exploration; and (3) incomplete medical records. Clinical and follow-up data of patients who had undergone TPE for late complications of radiation-induced pelvic injury between March 2020 and September 2022 at the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University were analyzed. Perioperative recovery, postoperative complications, perioperative deaths, and quality of life 1 year postoperatively were recorded.Results:The study cohort comprised 14 women, nine of whom had recto-vagino-vesical fistulas, two vesicovaginal fistulas, one ileo-vesical fistula and rectal necrosis, one ileo-vesical and rectovaginal fistulas, and one rectal ulcer and bilateral ureteral stenosis. The mean duration of surgery was 592.1±167.6 minutes and the median blood loss 550 (100–6000) mL. Ten patients underwent intestinal reconstruction, and four the Hartmann procedure. Ten patients underwent urinary reconstruction using Bricker's procedure and 7 underwent pelvic floor reconstruction. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 23.6±14.9 days. Seven patients (7/14) had serious postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo IIIa to IVb), including surgical site infections in eight, abdominopelvic abscesses in five, pulmonary infections in five, intestinal obstruction in four, and urinary leakage in two. Empty pelvis syndrome (EPS) was diagnosed in five patients, none of whom had undergone pelvic floor reconstruction. Five of the seven patients who had not undergone pelvic floor reconstruction developed EPS, compared with none of those who had undergone pelvic floor reconstruction. One patient with EPS underwent reoperation because of a pelvic abscess, pelvic hemorrhage, and intestinal obstruction. There were no perioperative deaths. During 18.9±10.1 months of follow-up, three patients died, two of renal failure, which was a preoperative comorbidity, and one of COVID-19. The remaining patients had gradual and significant relief of symptoms during follow-up. QLQ-C30 assessment of postoperative quality of life showed gradual improvement in all functional domains and general health at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively (all P<0.05). Conclusions:TPE is a feasible procedure for treating late complications of radiation-induced pelvic injury combined with complex pelvic fistulas. TPE is effective in alleviating symptoms and improving quality of life. However, the indications for this procedure should be strictly controlled and the surgery carried out only by experienced surgeons.

Objective:To investigate the safety and efficacy of total pelvic exenteration (TPE) for treating late complications of radiation-induced pelvic injury.Methods:This was a descriptive case series study. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) confirmed radiation-induced pelvic injury after radiotherapy for pelvic malignancies; (2) late complications of radiation-induced pelvic injury, such as bleeding, perforation, fistula, and obstruction, involving multiple pelvic organs; (3) TPE recommended by a multidisciplinary team; (4) patient in good preoperative condition and considered fit enough to tolerate TPE; and (5) patient extremely willing to undergo the procedure and accept the associated risks. The exclusion criteria were as follows: (1) preoperative or intraoperative diagnosis of tumor recurrence or metastasis; (2) had only undergone diversion or bypass surgery after laparoscopic exploration; and (3) incomplete medical records. Clinical and follow-up data of patients who had undergone TPE for late complications of radiation-induced pelvic injury between March 2020 and September 2022 at the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University were analyzed. Perioperative recovery, postoperative complications, perioperative deaths, and quality of life 1 year postoperatively were recorded.Results:The study cohort comprised 14 women, nine of whom had recto-vagino-vesical fistulas, two vesicovaginal fistulas, one ileo-vesical fistula and rectal necrosis, one ileo-vesical and rectovaginal fistulas, and one rectal ulcer and bilateral ureteral stenosis. The mean duration of surgery was 592.1±167.6 minutes and the median blood loss 550 (100–6000) mL. Ten patients underwent intestinal reconstruction, and four the Hartmann procedure. Ten patients underwent urinary reconstruction using Bricker's procedure and 7 underwent pelvic floor reconstruction. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 23.6±14.9 days. Seven patients (7/14) had serious postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo IIIa to IVb), including surgical site infections in eight, abdominopelvic abscesses in five, pulmonary infections in five, intestinal obstruction in four, and urinary leakage in two. Empty pelvis syndrome (EPS) was diagnosed in five patients, none of whom had undergone pelvic floor reconstruction. Five of the seven patients who had not undergone pelvic floor reconstruction developed EPS, compared with none of those who had undergone pelvic floor reconstruction. One patient with EPS underwent reoperation because of a pelvic abscess, pelvic hemorrhage, and intestinal obstruction. There were no perioperative deaths. During 18.9±10.1 months of follow-up, three patients died, two of renal failure, which was a preoperative comorbidity, and one of COVID-19. The remaining patients had gradual and significant relief of symptoms during follow-up. QLQ-C30 assessment of postoperative quality of life showed gradual improvement in all functional domains and general health at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively (all P<0.05). Conclusions:TPE is a feasible procedure for treating late complications of radiation-induced pelvic injury combined with complex pelvic fistulas. TPE is effective in alleviating symptoms and improving quality of life. However, the indications for this procedure should be strictly controlled and the surgery carried out only by experienced surgeons.