UCSF

The use of a Foley catheter to protect the small and large bowel from radiation injury during stereotactic radiosurgery to the spine has not previously been described in the surgical literature. Many spine tumors should be treated with stereotactic radiosurgery as opposed to external beam therapy, yet the proximity of visceral organs may preclude adequate target delivery of radiation. We describe the novel use of Foley catheters placed intraoperatively to displace the bowel during stereotactic radiosurgery, allowing for a full radiation dose to be safely delivered to the tumor. The advantages of this technique are the low cost, the ability to place multiple catheters intraoperatively, and the ability to withdraw all the catheters after radiation without the need for reoperation.