Survey radiography of abdomen following caesarean section, with particular reference to caecal diameter and the presence of free subdiaphragmatic gas.

The literature concerning perforation and imminent perforation of the caecum is reviewed. The greatest importance is attached to 5 cases of perforation of the caecum associated with paralytic ileus following Caesarean section. The caecal diameter was determined by radiography in 100 patients on the 3rd and 5th day after Caesarean section. At the same time the volume of subdiaphragmatic free gas was assessed. An average caecal diameter of 6.4 cm was found, which is not different from the findings in the normal population. Increasing caecal diameter during the puerperium gives rise to suspicion of the caecum. In 90% of the patients free subdiaphragmatic gas disappeared by the 5th day after Caesarean section.