Acute Intestinal Volvulus

Abstract

A series of 238 cases of acute intestinal volvulus is presented. During 1938–67 the incidence of intestinal volvulus decreased significantly. Half of the volvuli were sigmoid and one-fourth small intestine torsions. Intestinal knot syndrome occurred in 8%. The primary mortality was 29.8%. Mortality from volvulus of the small intestine was 37.5%, from right colon volvulus 18.6%, sigmoid colon volvulus 23.1%, and intestinal knot 73.6%. Sigmoid volvulus was always treated surgically. The mortality after operative detorsion was relatively high, 18.1%. Volvulus recurred in 17.2% of the whole series. Sigmoid volvulus recurred in 26.5%, right colon volvulus in 13.9% and small intestine volvulus in 5.4%.

Key-words:

• Intestinal volvulus