[Importance of x-ray examinations in the diagnosis of ileus]

From 1972-1982 350 operations were performed on 327 patients suffering from ileus. In 315 cases (90%) preoperatively the following X-ray examinations were performed. 315 plain abdominal X-rays (92.7% correct radiological findings), 21 oral gastrografin-passages (95.2%), 52 barium enemas (98.1%). If by all radiological means an exact preoperative diagnosis was possible, the lethality was significantly lower (22%) than in the overall group (33%).