Managing Surgical Injuries in Radiation-Exposed Patients: Surgical vs. Observational Approach

The correct answer is: observed closely for changes in wound healing.

Patients with concurrent surgical injuries and radiation exposure should either be operated on expeditiously or observed closely for changes in wound healing. When operating on a patient with a surgical injury to a radiated area, the surgeon should be aware that the tissues may be friable, and great care should be taken with cautery.