[Postoperative imaging of the peritoneum and abdominal wall]

J Radiol. 2009 Jul-Aug;90(7-8 Pt 2):969-79. doi: 10.1016/s0221-0363(09)73235-4.
[Article in French]

Abstract

CT scan is the gold standard for follow-up after abdominal surgery and diagnosis of postoperative complications. During the immediate postoperative period, asymptomatic and rapidly regressing peritoneal collections of fluid and gas are often present. Transient ileus is classically present as well. The diagnosis of postoperative peritonitis is difficult on imaging; fluid collections are frequent and easily detected. The main postoperative peritoneal complication is small bowel obstruction, either early and due to inflammatory changes, or delayed and due to adhesions or less frequently to other causes, including transmesenteric hernia. Other rare complications include desmoid tumors and gossypiboma. Wall complications, after laparotomy as well as laparoscopic surgery, are mainly hematoma, infections and wound hernia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Wall
  • Adult
  • Anastomosis, Surgical / adverse effects
  • Ascitic Fluid / diagnostic imaging
  • Bile Duct Neoplasms / surgery
  • Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic
  • Cholangiocarcinoma / surgery
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Foreign Bodies / diagnostic imaging
  • Hernia, Abdominal / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Ossification, Heterotopic
  • Peritoneum / diagnostic imaging*
  • Peritonitis / diagnostic imaging
  • Pneumoperitoneum / diagnostic imaging
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnostic imaging*
  • Radiography, Abdominal / methods*
  • Splenectomy / adverse effects
  • Splenosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Surgical Instruments / adverse effects
  • Time Factors
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*