Cecal volvulus in rural Kenya: delayed presentation contributes to high mortality

Background Cecal volvulus, which is a torsion involving the cecum, terminal ileum, and ascending colon around its own mesentery, results in a closed-loop obstruction. It is a rare reported cause of adult intestinal obstruction. This study aimed to review the clinical presentation, management, and outcomes at a rural, resource-limited referral center. Methods We performed a retrospective review of all patients with a diagnosis of cecal volvulus between January 1st, 2009 and December 31st, 2019 at Tenwek Hospital in Bomet, Kenya. The outcome of survival was compared by the time to presentation. Mortality was also compared with prior reports of intestinal obstruction at our institution. Results Thirteen patients were identified with a mean age of 52 years and a mean symptom duration of 5 days. All patients presented with abdominal pain and distension. Seven patients (54%) presented with perforation, gangrene, or gross peritoneal contamination. Identified risk factors were Ladds bands with malrotation, adhesions, and a sigmoid tumor. Procedures included primary resection and anastomosis (7), damage control (3) with anastomosis on second-look in 2 of these, simple surgical detorsion (1), and surgical detorsion and cecopexy (2). There were four mortalities (31%), of which all had delayed presentation with perforation and fecal contamination. Delays to presentation were associated with mortality (p = 0.03). Cecal volvulus resulted in increased perioperative mortality compared to all intestinal obstructions presenting to the institution (p < 0.0001). Conclusions Cecal volvulus carries a high risk of mortality. A high index of suspicion and early consideration in the differential diagnosis of intestinal obstruction should be considered to reduce the mortality associated with the delay in preoperative diagnosis.

Anaesthesia management in a patient of interstitial lung disease with pulmonary hypertension for emergency laparotomy

We report the anesthaetic management of a patient with known case of interstitial lung disease (ILD) with profound fibrotic changes and bullae with severe pulmonary hypertension (PH) posted for exploratory laparotomy for cecal volvulus. Emergency exploratory laparotomy was done under combined spinal-epidural anaesthesia to avoid intra-operative and post-operative pulmonary complications associated with general anaesthesia and mechanical ventilation.

Vólvulo de ciego con lesión de colon ascendente reporte de un caso y alternativas de tratamiento

Cecal volvulus is a rare disease responsible for 1% of the cases of intestinal occlusion, whose main etiology is due to a mobile cecum. A 73-year-old male patient with a history of constipation is presented. He had a clinical picture of abdominal pain and distention, nausea, vomiting, and absence of stool or gas expulsion. A Cecal volvulus with lesion in the ascending colon was found. The surgical technique most frequently performed by surgeons for cecal volvulus is right hemicolectomy with transverse ileus anastomosis, but if the volvulus caused intestinal necrosis and the patient is hemodynamically unstable, it is safer to perform intestinal resection and ileostomy. Ascending ileus anastomosis performed at a higher level of the ascending colon is a safe alternative for the restitution of intestinal transit in patients with cecal volvulus.

Volvulus of the Transverse Colon

Background In the United States, the third leading cause of a large bowel obstruction (LBO) is colonic volvulus with torsion occurring most commonly in the sigmoid and the cecum. Transverse colonic volvulus (TCV) is exceedingly rare and specific involvement of the splenic flexure (SFV) is even less common. The present analysis was undertaken to interrogate current trends in presentation, management, and outcomes of TCV. Methods In the present report, the world literature was reviewed for the past 90 years (1932 to 2021). We conducted a systematic review to identify all cases of TCV following the PRISMA guidelines. Results We identified 317 cases of TCV. This included SFV (n = 75), TCV in pediatric patients (n = 63), TCV in pregnant patients (n = 8), and TCV associated with other pathology such as Chilaiditi’s syndrome (n = 11). Compared to sigmoid and cecal volvulus, TCV was rare (.94%). It affected slightly more women (54%) than men, commonly in their third decade of life (37.7 ± 23.8). The clinical presentation and diagnostic imaging were consistent with LBO. Compared to sigmoid volvulus, there was a limited role for conservative management and colonoscopic decompression was less effective. The most common operation was segmental resection (25%). Mortality was (20%) commonly because of cardiopulmonary complications and affected more women (63%). The average age of this cohort was 55.7±24.6 years old. Discussion Our review showed that TCV is an uncommon surgical entity. The diagnosis is likely to be made at laparotomy. Prompt recognition is paramount in preventing ischemia necrosis and perforation. Compared to sigmoid and cecal volvulus, the mortality for TCV remains high.

Acute Colonic Pseudo-obstruction and Volvulus: Pathophysiology, Evaluation, and Treatment

Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (ACPO) and volvulus are two disease processes that affect the colon causing abdominal distension and may necessitate operation intervention. ACPO may be associated with multiple comorbidities, infectious diseases, and cardiac dysfunction. It may be treated with conservative management including endoscopic decompression or neostigmine. If the distension is not addressed, high mortality may result if peritonitis develops. Volvulus most commonly occurs in the sigmoid colon or cecum. If left-sided, endoscopic decompression may resolve the obstruction if detorsion is successful, although sigmoid colectomy should be performed during the admission. If cecal volvulus is identified, right hemicolectomy should be performed.