Abdominal Free Air After Surgery

Federico II University600 enrolled

Overview

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.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Purpose

DIAGNOSTIC

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

600

Conditions

Prediction of Gastrointestinal Perforation

Interventions

chest radiographRADIATION

All enrolled patients underwent erect chest x-rays assessment. In all cases the diagnosis of pneumoperitoneum was based upon the plain film identification of subdiaphragmatic air on the upright posteroanterior chest radiograph. All patients were transported from their hospital rooms to the radiology department in wheelchairs and remained in an upright position for more than 10 min before the chest radiographs were obtained. In all cases upright posteroanterior was obtained with the patient standing, using 183-cm distance, 125 kVp, phototimed exposure, and radiographic film with a wide exposure latitude. The disappearance of intraabdominal free gas will be evaluated every 48h and will be defined as the loss of the

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 90 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

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.

Locations (1)

"Federico II" University

Naples, Italy, Italy

RECRUITING

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

prediction of gastrointestinal perforation

• Prediction of the presence of gastrointestinal perforation by the finding of intra-abdominal free air on a chest radiograph after abdominal surgery

Time frame: Within 3 days from surgery

Secondary Outcomes

time taken for the absorption of intra-abdominal free air

The evaluation of time taken for the absorption of intra-abominal free air and its correlation with age, sex, body mass index, previous surgery, operative time, type of surgery and use of peritoneal drainage tubes. The disappearance of intra-abdominal free gas was defined as the loss of the gas bubble under the domes of the hemidiaphragms on an erect chest radiograph

Time frame: within 3 days from surgery

Central Contacts

Francesco Milone, Prof

CONTACT

00390817463067 milone.marco@alice.it

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.