Read Post-Op Abdominal CTs Without Getting Lost
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Picture this: you're on call and the next case on your worklist is a post-operative mess. Pneumoperitoneum. Fluid collections. Anastomoses. Drains. Everything is distorted. What's expected and what isn't?
Post-op abdominal CT is one of the most anxiety-provoking studies you'll encounter early in residency. The anatomy is unfamiliar, the threshold for calling a complication is unclear, and unlike an appendicitis, you can't rely on simple pattern recognition.
This course teaches you how to approach these studies systematically. Twenty-four curated cases cover normal post-op appearances, common complications across procedures, and both upper and lower GI surgeries. You'll leave knowing how to orient yourself on any post-op CT — and when to escalate.
Who This Course Is For
R2–R4 residents who are starting to encounter post-operative cases on call and want a systematic framework. Particularly useful before a GI surgery or trauma rotation, or for any resident who freezes when they see a post-Whipple or post-colectomy case on their list.
Pathologies include:
Get a taste for some of the pathologies covered in this course.
Upper GI Post-Op Complications
- ●Including post-Whipple anastomotic leak, post-sleeve gastrectomy leak, and internal hernia
Lower GI Post-Op Complications
- ●Including anastomotic leak, parastomal hernia, and post-Hartmann's complications
Common Cross-Procedure Complications
- ●Including intra-abdominal abscess, post-op haematoma, and wound dehiscence
What You'll Learn
- 1Identify the expected vs. unexpected post-operative CT findings across common upper and lower GI procedures.
- 2Diagnose anastomotic leak on CT — distinguishing expected free fluid from concerning extraluminal contrast or air.
- 3Recognise high-acuity post-op complications including intra-abdominal abscess, post-op SBO, and mesenteric ischaemia.
"I feel very confident that no matter what a case opens, I've probably either seen it before, or seen something adjacent to it. Before I started using this, I felt more nervous opening a trainwreck case."
Frequently Asked Questions
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In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by Navigating Radiology. Pinnacle Conference, LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.