Sigmoid Volvulus

Unveiling a Coalescing Catastrophe: Pre-pyloric Perforation Co-existing With Sigmoid Volvulus in a Middle-Aged Patient

Sigmoid volvulus is a common cause of colonic obstruction worldwide and constitutes the majority of all cases of colonic volvulus. It is more prevalent in those who are older than 70 years. The sigmoid colon, an S-shaped portion of the large intestine, is susceptible to this condition due to its redundancy and mobile nature. Treatment involves endoscopic detorsion with sigmoidectomy. Laparoscopic surgery has been found to be useful in terms of reduced morbidity, blood loss, analgesics, and hospital stay; contrarily, surgical management has been found to be associated with reduced recurrence. Early diagnosis is crucial to prevent complications and recurrence rates. Gastroduodenal perforation, whether spontaneous or traumatic, is predominantly associated with peptic ulcer disease. Specifically, the majority of perforated peptic ulcers are attributed to Helicobacter pylori infection. The presence of perforation as a comorbidity complicates surgical management, particularly when the patient has a history of H. pylori infections, as evidenced in our case. Addressing these infections is crucial for optimizing treatment outcomes and reducing potential complications. Laparoscopic surgery is popular due to its benefits and faster recovery periods, especially in the aged population. This is a case presentation of a 48-year-old male who presented at our tertiary care center with abdominal pain, multiple episodes of vomiting, obstipation, and abdominal distention. The patient was diagnosed with sigmoid volvulus with pre-pyloric perforation which was managed surgically by initial detorsion followed by sigmoidectomy with modified Graham's patch technique. He recovered well with no post-operative complications.

Evaluation of Abdominal Emergencies

Early primary assessment and abdominal examination can often be enough to triage the patient with abdominal pain into those with less severe underlying pathologic condition from those with more acute findings. A focused history of the patient can then allow the clinician to develop their differential diagnosis. Once the differential diagnoses are determined, diagnostic imaging and laboratory findings can help confirm the diagnosis and allow for expeditious treatment and intervention.

Simultaneous Sigmoid Volvulus and Small Bowel Obstruction: A Case Report

Sigmoid volvulus and small bowel obstruction are typically thought to be separate clinical pathologies with distinct clinical features, diagnostic criteria, and treatment strategies. We present a rare case of simultaneous sigmoid volvulus and small bowel obstruction. To our knowledge, this is the first such case in literature and presented a unique set of challenges in regard to treatment and management. This case discusses a different approach to the surgical management of sigmoid volvulus and small bowel obstruction, which is markedly different from the expected and traditional surgical management of isolated sigmoid volvulus and small bowel obstruction.

Volvulus of the transverse colon after resection of the sigmoid volvulus: A case report

Sigmoid volvulus is a common cause of colon obstruction, while volvulus of the transverse colon rarely causes bowel obstruction. The occurrence of transverse colon volvulus after resection of the sigmoid colon volvulus is extremely rare. This report presents a 73-year-old man who presented with abdominal pain and peritonitis. The patient underwent exploratory laparotomy, and sigmoid volvulus and cecum perforation were confirmed. A right hemicolectomy, end-to-side ileotransverse colon anastomosis for the cecal perforation, and sigmoidectomy with end-colostomy (Hartmann's procedure) for the sigmoid volvulus were performed. A month later, the patient returned to the emergency room with abdominal distention and the blockage of colostomy. Abdominal CT revealed a transverse colon volvulus. A transverse and descending colon resection and ileorectal anastomosis were performed. The patient’s condition was stable at the time of discharge from the hospital. The management of metachronous colon volvulus should include surgical intervention. If patients are not diagnosed immediately, their condition may deteriorate dramatically because of bowel infarction or peritonitis. It is essential to highlight this case, as many surgeons may not have attended a transverse colon volvulus after sigmoid volvulus, which might lead to high morbidity or mortality. Overall, metachronous colonic volvulus must be considered in the differential diagnosis of bowel obstruction, particularly in patients with significant risk factors.