Studies on the roentgenological differentiation between complex and simple bowel obstruction

We studied 81 cases of organic bowel obstruction. In complex obstruction 7 cases out of 25 (28%) were diagnosed on the plain film before operation, although in simple obstruction 54 cases out of 56 (96%). But in retrospective evaluation of the plain films, we noticed that in some cases of complex obstruction, marked small bowel obstruction and ascites were seen from the onset, which were never seen in simple obstruction. We considered this finding as the key point for the roentgenological differentiation between complex and simple obstruction.