Abstract: Objective To evaluate the efficacy of retention enema with smecta mixture on acute radiationinduced enteritis（RIE） due to radiotherapy for patients postoperation with rectal cancer. Methods A total of 65 patients with rectal cancer after radical surgery were randomized into control group （n=31） and treatment group with smecta mixture（n=34）. All the patients were treated with threedimensional and intensity modulated radiotherapy （50Gy／2Gy／25f） in combination with capecitabine （1600mg／m2 daily， q12h， d1-d14， 3 weeks for a cycle with a total of 2 cycles）. After the onset of grade 1 RIE， control group was carried on symptomatic treatment， while treatment group was applied with symptomatic treatment and smecta mixture retention enema （smecta 3g， compound glutamine granules 670mg and dexamethasone 10mg were resolved in 37℃ 0.9％ NaCl injection 100ml）. RIE during radiation and one month after radiation， as well as life quality pre and postradiation were compared between the two groups.
ResultsThe incidence of RIE at the 1st week of radiation between treatment group and control group had no statistical difference （P＞0.05）， but the incidence of RIE at the 3rd，5th，and 1month after radiation was significantly lower in treatment group compared with the control group （P＜0.05）. Life quality preradiation and at the 1st week of radiation between the two groups had no statistical difference （P＞0.05）， while it was improved in treatment group at the 3rd， 5th and 1month after radiation compared with control group （P＜0.05）. Conclusion Retention emena with smecta mixture is able to relieve acute RIE and improve life quality of patients.