Will Plain Abdominal Radiographs become Obsolete?

Plain abdominal radiographs are often used as the first line investigation in diagnosing abdominal pathologies such as bowel obstruction and gastrointestinal perforation. However, their interpretation can often be non-specific. Given the reduction in radiation doses in recent years, This article reviews the role of plain abdominal radiographs and other imaging modalities in bowel obstruction and gastrointestinal perforation.