Abdominal Free Air After Surgery
Abdominal Free Air After Surgery
The aim of this study is to evaluate if the presence of abdominal free air on a plain chest
 radiograph predicts gastrointestinal perforation. We aimed to enroll all patients undergoing
 abdominal surgery reporting major symptoms and signs suggestive of gastrointestinal
 perforation (abdominal pain, leukocytosis, fever) within the third postoperative day.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Abdominal surgery and major symptoms and signs suggestive of gastrointestinal
 perforation within the third postoperative day.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  inability to consent to the study, age ≤18 yr, certain or probable pregnancy,
 inability to remain in upright position for more than 10 minutes.