Combined Surgical and Radiation Injury The Effect of Timing of Wounding and Whole Body Gamma Irradiation on 30 Day Mortality and Rate of Wound Contracture in the Rodent

Enhanced survival from radiation pneumonitis by combined irradiation to the skin

“…Besides the data described in the current paper, there are other reports of reduced mortality by combining radiation with skin injuries, usually wounding (Langendorff et al 1964, Ledney et al 1981, Ledney et al 1985a, Ledney et al 1985b, Stromberg et al 1968). In most studies the timing of the wound with respect to radiation played an important role in the outcome (Ledney et al 1981, Ledney et al 1985a, Stromberg et al 1968).…”

“…Messerschmidt et al (1989) reported increased susceptibility to shock in combined radiation injuries and delayed formation of callus in bone fractures. Additional injuries worsened the development and prognosis of radiation-induced disease in a number of such reports (Alpen and Sheline 1954, Brooks et al 1952, Brooks et al 1956, Langendorff et al 1964, Messerschmidt 1989, Stromberg et al 1968). Often the mortality was partially reversed by antimicrobials indicating infection played a role in the outcomes probably due to hematopoietic depression caused by irradiation (Stromberg et al 1968).…”

“…In most studies the timing of the wound with respect to radiation played an important role in the outcome (Ledney et al 1981, Ledney et al 1985a, Stromberg et al 1968). Skin wounding of mice shortly before TBI (up to 3 days depending on the dose of radiation) or after TBI (up to 2 days depending on the dose of radiation), enhanced survival (Ledney et al 1985a).…”

Radiation Injury and the Hand Surgeon

“…21 Other studies also indicate that irradiation profoundly delays wound healing, especially during the first 2 weeks. 22 Interestingly, several laboratory studies suggest that wounding 1 day before irradiation may increase survival compared with irradiation alone. This may reflect neurohumoral amelioration of the stress response to radiation injury by wounding immediately before; this effect diminishes if wounding occurs postirradiation day 4 or later, after which consistently worse wound healing and survival result.…”

“…This may reflect neurohumoral amelioration of the stress response to radiation injury by wounding immediately before; this effect diminishes if wounding occurs postirradiation day 4 or later, after which consistently worse wound healing and survival result. 22 Whole-body irradiation affects bone repair as well, as much as doubling the length of fracture healing time. 23…”