CT diagnosis of postoperative abdominal complications

Over 3 million abdominal operations are performed in the United States each year, and a significant number of these patients subsequently undergo computed tomography (CT) either for follow-up of resected lesions or evaluation of possible postoperative complications. This article describes the clinical presentations and CT features of commonly encountered postsurgical complications. A wide spectrum of lesions involving the abdominal wall as well as intraperitoneal structures is herein illustrated to emphasize the role of CT in their diagnosis and management.