[Should colonic anastomoses be inspected radiologically?]

Routine early radiologic review examinations were conducted in 100 patients after colocolic or colorectal anastomosis. Postoperative course was assessed as clinically uncomplicated in 77 cases, a barium enema producing normal images in 67 and abnormal images in 10 cases, and recovery operations were not necessary. The course was more difficult in 23 patients: recovery operation to repair a gap was needed in 9 cases, while results were evaluated as satisfactory in 14 with 3 false negatives. Recovery operations (including 6 for fistula) in 9 patients followed acute clinical manifestations. Clinical evaluation is therefore of primary importance, a barium meal being justified only when intra-abdominal complications are suspected, while recognizing the risk of false negative results for this examination.