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Sigmoid Volvulus

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Sigmoid Volvulus

  • See Also
  1. Volvulus
  2. Gastric Volvulus
  • Definitions
  1. Volvulus
    1. Twisting of intestinal loop around attachment to mesentery
    2. Can occur at Stomach (Gastric Volvulus), Small Intestine, cecum, transverse colon or sigmoid colon
  • Epidemiology
  1. Typically occurs in elderly
  • Symptoms
  • Sigmoid Volvulus
  1. Abdominal Pain
  2. Abdominal Distention
  3. Obstipation (unable to pass stool or Flatus)
  4. Vomiting is a late and ominous sign
  • Signs
  1. Abdominal exam may be benign
  2. Heme positive stool
    1. Late sign suggesting infarcted bowel
  • Differential Diagnosis
  1. See Abdominal Pain Causes
  • Complications
  1. Intestinal infarction (high mortality)
  • Management
  1. Emergent surgical management
    1. Mesenteric Infarction and necrosis starts within first 3 hours of onset
  • References
  1. Hebra (2012) Intestinal Volvulus, Medscape