Imaging of complications following gynecologic surgery.

Despite new nonsurgical treatment methods for gynecologic diseases (eg, endometrial radiofrequency ablation for dysfunctional uterine bleeding, uterine artery embolization for uterine fibroids), surgery continues to be the main treatment modality in this setting. New and improved surgical techniques include laparoscopic hysterectomy, which is performed much more frequently than abdominal hysterectomy because it offers the advantages of speedy postsurgical recovery and a short hospital stay. Nevertheless, a number of early and delayed complications continue to occur following gynecologic surgery. Radiologists with access to multiple imaging modalities play an important role in the diagnosis and management of these postsurgical complications and can assist the surgeon at this critical juncture. Improved computed tomographic and magnetic resonance imaging techniques have made imaging more reliable for early diagnosis. Familiarity with normal postsurgical anatomy, pitfalls in interpretation, and imaging-guided interventional procedures will facilitate the diagnosis and management of complications following gynecologic surgery.