Endoscopic detorsion of sigmoid volvulus in a young female: a case report.

BACKGROUND: A volvulus refers to the torsion or rotational twisting of a portion of the gastrointestinal tract, with a predilection for impacting the caecum and sigmoid colon, often resulting in the development of bowel obstruction. The risk factors associated are old age, chronic fecal impaction, psychiatric disorders, colonic dysmotility, prior abdominal surgical procedures, diabetes, and Hirschsprung's disease. Elderly are most commonly affected with sigmoid volvulus but there are few cases among young adults that culminate in grave complications. Although it is rare, but young individuals presenting with acute abdomen secondary to sigmoid volvulus need urgent attention. To prevent more invasive surgical procedures, endoscopic detorsion is preferred nowadays with complete recovery of patients. We present a case of young female who was successfully managed with endoscopic detorsion. CASE PRESENTATION: 27 years old Asian Pakistani female presented with worsening abdominal distention, constipation and vomiting since 2 days. On examination she was afebrile, vitally stable. Abdomen was distended, tympanic percussion with generalized tenderness. Abdominal radiograph was obtained which showed dilated bowel loops followed by Computed tomography of abdomen which was suggestive of Sigmoid volvulus causing intestinal obstruction. Patient was immediately moved to endoscopy unit and endoscopic detorsion of volvulus was done. For individuals who present with sigmoid volvulus and do not exhibit signs of peritonitis or colonic gangrene, the recommended course of action involves acute endoscopic detorsion, followed by scheduled surgical intervention. CONCLUSION: This case report emphasizes the significance of clinicians considering sigmoid volvulus as a rare but important cause when evaluating abdominal pain in young and otherwise healthy patients. A delay in diagnosis and treatment extending beyond 48 hours leads to colonic necrosis, amplifying the associated morbidity and mortality. Swift intervention is imperative to mitigate these complications and attain a conclusive remedy.

Cecal volvulus - a rare cause of acute abdomen with ileus.

In this article, we present case reports of two patients admitted to the University Hospital in Pilsen for acute abdomen due to a disorder of the passage through the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Both were indicated for surgery. The patients were diagnosed intraoperatively with rarely occurring cecal volvulus (CV). The findings required an ileocecal resection; nevertheless, both patients fully recovered despite the need the resection.

Modified cranial approach to right-sided colon cancer in a patient with intestinal nonrotation: A case report.

Managing colon cancer with intestinal nonrotation, a type of congenital intestinal malrotation, is challenging due to the presence of anatomical abnormalities and severe adhesions. When patients have nonrotation, it is markedly more difficult to determine which vessels correspond to the colic vessels and ileal vessels until all vascular branching patterns become evident. The optimal approach for right-sided colon cancer with intestinal nonrotation has yet to be established. In the present case of ascending colon cancer with intestinal nonrotation, we performed laparoscopic right hemicolectomy with D3 dissection using a modified cranial approach. This approach involves tracing, without resecting, branches from the superior mesenteric vein and superior mesenteric artery in a cranial-to-caudal manner until the ileocolic artery and ileocolic vein, which course toward the cecum, are identified, followed by the dissection of the colic vessels and lymph nodes in a caudal-to-cranial fashion.

Sigmoid and cecum colon volvulus: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Colon volvulus is the twisting of a segment of colon on its mesenteric axis, which can lead to the obstruction of the lumen and the blood supply. Colon volvulus is common in "volvulus belt" countries and can involve the sigmoid (60-70%) and cecum (25-40%). CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 47-year-old male, Alawites, who presented with bowel obstruction and dilated abdomen without any specific abdominal pain. Abdominal laparotomy showed both sigmoid and cecum volvulus with no signs of perforation or ischemia. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: One of the possible risk factors of sigmoid colon volvulus is the length of the rectum and sigmoid, while mobile cecum is considered as a possible reason for cecum volvulus. The management remains controversial and is specific for every case, depending mainly on the vitality of the colonic walls and the general condition of the patient.

Dependent functional status is an independent risk factor for 30-day mortality and morbidities following colectomy for volvulus: An ACS-NSQIP study from the United States.

OBJECTIVES: Colonic volvulus is a common cause of bowel obstructions and surgery is the definitive treatment. Functional status is often associated with adverse postoperative outcomes but its effect on colectomy for volvulus remained under-explored. This study sought to analyze the effect of functional status on the 30-day outcomes of colectomy for volvulus. MATERIALS AND METHOD: National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) targeted colectomy database from 2012 to 2022 was utilized. Only patients with volvulus as the primary indication for colectomy were included. Thirty-day postoperative outcomes were compared between patients with dependent functional status (DFS) and independent functional status (IFS), adjusted for demographics, baseline characteristics, preoperative preparation, indication for surgery, and operative approaches by multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: There were 1,476 patients with DFS (945 partially DFS and 531 fully DFS) and 8,824 (85.67 %) IFS patients who underwent colectomy for volvulus. After multivariable analysis, DFS patients had higher risks of mortality (aOR=1.671, 95 CI=1.37-2.038, p < 0.01), pulmonary complications (aOR=2.166, 95 CI=1.85-2.536, p < 0.01), sepsis (aOR=1.31, 95 CI=1.107-1.551, p < 0.01), prolonged postoperative nothing by mouth (NPO) or nasogastric tube (NGT) use (aOR=1.436, 95 CI=1.269-1.626, p < 0.01), discharge not to home (aOR=3.774, 95 CI=3.23-4.411, p < 0.01), and 30-day readmission (aOR=1.196, 95 CI=1.007-1.42, p = 0.04). Moreover, DFS patients had a longer length of stay (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: DFS was identified as an independent risk factor for increased mortality and complications after colectomy for volvulus. Given the substantial overlap between DFS patients and those who have colonic volvulus, these insights can contribute to preoperative risk assessments and postoperative care in these patients.

High risk and low incidence diseases: Pediatric digestive volvulus.

INTRODUCTION: Pediatric digestive volvulus is a serious condition that carries with it a high rate of morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: This review highlights the pearls and pitfalls of pediatric digestive volvulus, including the presentation, diagnosis, and management in the emergency department (ED) based on current evidence. DISCUSSION: Pediatric digestive volvulus is a deadly condition most commonly associated with malrotation. It occurs when the stomach or small intestine twists on itself, resulting in ischemia and potentially strangulation with necrosis and perforation. Presentation differs based on the gastrointestinal (GI) segment affected, degree of twisting, and acuity of the volvulus. Gastric volvulus most commonly presents with retching with or without nonbilious emesis and epigastric distension with pain, while midgut volvulus typically presents with bilious emesis in infants. Patients with GI necrosis and perforation may present with hemodynamic compromise and peritonitis. If suspected, emergent consultation with the pediatric surgery specialist is necessary, and if this is not available, transfer to a center with a pediatric surgeon is recommended. Imaging includes plain radiography, ultrasound, or upper GI series, while treatment includes resuscitation, administration of antibiotics, and emergent surgical decompression and detorsion of the involved segments. CONCLUSION: An understanding of pediatric digestive volvulus and its many potential mimics can assist emergency clinicians in diagnosing and managing this deadly disease.

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B diagnosed after small intestinal volvulus with progressive megacolon in an adolescent.

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B is a rare autosomal dominant disease characterized by the presence of medullary thyroid carcinoma, pheochromocytoma, Marfan-like fatigue, a peculiar face with thickening of the lips, mucosal neuromas on the lips and tongue, and gastrointestinal phenomena. Most patients harbor pathological variants of the RET gene. Herein, we present the first case of a 14 year-old boy who experienced small intestinal volvulus along with a megacolon, and he was diagnosed with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B. The patient complained of constipation since he was 2 years old and slowly progressive abdominal distension at school age. At 14 years of age, he presented with remarkable megacolon mimicking Hirschsprung's disease and complicated with small intestinal volvulus. The volvulus was successfully repaired, and the particularly dilated transverse colon was resected following a rectal biopsy. Histopathological evaluation of the resected transverse colon revealed to be compatible with ganglioneuromatosis. After emergency surgery, the patient was diagnosed with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B with medullary thyroid carcinoma, and a de novo variant of RET was confirmed. Gastroenterologists should consider it when treating patients with constipation, especially those with megacolon. Therefore, timely diagnosis may lead to appropriate treatment of medullary thyroid carcinoma and improve mortality.

Small bowel obstruction in adults, Ladd's band is an exceptional cause: a case report.

Malrotation of the gut is a congenital anomaly of foetal intestinal rotation and it's principally discovered in early childhood as acute intestinal obstruction. This condition is veritably rare and constantly silent in adults. Intestinal malrotation in adults is frequently asymptomatic and is diagnosed as a casual finding during a radiological examination performed for other reasons. Infrequently, it can be diagnosed in adults, associated with an acute abdomen. Adult patients rarely present with acute midgut volvulus or internal hernias caused by Ladd's bands. We present a case of an admitted 18-year-old female with a small bowel obstruction due to an intestinal volvulus complicating intestinal malrotation in the presence of Ladd's band. Laparotomic Ladd's procedure was performed successfully with division of Ladd's band, adhesiolysis, appendicectomy, and reorientation of the small bowel on the right and the cecum and colon on the left of the abdominal cavity; the postoperative evolution was favorable. Although it is a rare pathology, it should be kept in mind in cases of patients presenting small bowel obstruction.

Cecal volvulus in complete common mesentery.

Common mesentery is an abnormal rotation of the primary umbilical loop characterized by inverted positioning of the mesenteric vessels; the mesenteric vein is displaced to the left of the artery. The inversion can be complete or incomplete. If it is incomplete, the mesenteric root is very short, with an empty right iliac fossa and the caecum in high median or subhepatic position. If it is complete, the entire small intestine is on the right, the entire large intestine is on the left; there is no third duodenum, and the second duodenum is anastomosed in the jejunum to the right of the superior mesenteric vessels. Cecal volvulus is a rarely encountered cause of acute intestinal occlusion and should be considered as a surgical emergency. There exist two main types of volvulus: by twisting of the large intestine around its axis, which remains in place; or by tilt and to rotation of the colon, which changes position.

Navigating Inconclusive Upper-Gastrointestinal Series in Infantile Bilious Vomiting: A Case Series on Intestinal Malrotation.

BACKGROUND Bilious vomiting in a child potentially portends the dire emergency of intestinal malrotation with volvulus, necessitating prompt surgical management, with differentials including small-bowel atresia, duodenal stenosis, annular pancreas, and intussusception. Although the upper-gastrointestinal series (UGI) is the diagnostic investigation of choice, up to 15% of the studies are inconclusive, thereby posing a diagnostic challenge. CASE REPORT We report a case series of 3 children referred for bilious vomiting, whose initial UGI was inconclusive and who were eventually confirmed to have intestinal malrotation at surgery. The first child was a female born at 37 weeks with antenatally diagnosed situs inversus and levocardia, who developed bilious vomiting on day 1 of life. The duodenojejunal flexure (DJ) could not be visualized on the UGI because of faint opacification on first pass of the contrast and subsequent overlap with the proximal jejunal loops. The second child was a male born at 36 weeks, presenting at age 4 months with bilious vomiting of 2 days duration. The third child was a female born at 29 weeks, presenting with bilious aspirates on day 3 of life. UGI for all 3 showed persistent hold-up of contrast at the proximal duodenum with no opacification of the distal duodenum or small bowel.Adjunctive techniques during the UGI and ultrasound examination helped achieve a preoperative diagnosis of malrotation in these children. CONCLUSIONS Application of diagnostic adjuncts to an inconclusive initial UGI may help elucidate a preoperative diagnosis of intestinal malrotation in infantile bilious vomiting.

Spleno-Sigmoid Knotting - An Unfamiliar Cause of Intestinal Obstruction.

INTRODUCTION: Spleno-sigmoid knotting is the twisting of the spleen around the sigmoid colon, causing obstruction of the sigmoid colon. It is an uncommon cause of intestinal obstruction. To our knowledge, there has been no previous case report of spleno-sigmoid knotting before our case. CASE REPORT: Here, we present the case of an 18-year-old female patient who visited the surgical emergency outpatient department with diffuse and progressive abdominal pain lasting for one and a half days. She also experienced obstipation and frequent episodes of vomiting of ingested matter. Upon initial evaluation, she exhibited tachycardia and tachypnea, and her abdomen was grossly distended with diffuse direct and rebound tenderness. Further investigation revealed significant leukocytosis with neutrophil predominance. Emergency laparotomy was performed with a possible diagnosis of generalized peritonitis secondary to gangrenous sigmoid volvulus, which revealed gangrenous spleno-sigmoid knotting. DISCUSSION: Various types of intestinal knots have been reported, with ileo-sigmoid knots being the most common and ileo-ileal knots being the rarest. Wandering spleen is a rare congenital anomaly with a variable clinical presentation ranging from asymptomatic to mild abdominal pain or acute abdomen due to torsion or acute pancreatitis. It can also cause intestinal obstruction, which may be the initial presentation. CONCLUSION: In patients presenting with acute abdominal pain and features of bowel obstruction, the possibility of spleno-sigmoid knotting should be considered, and early intervention should be instituted to prevent gangrenous progression and sepsis.

Adult-onset congenital intestinal malrotation: A case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Intestinal malrotation is an infrequent congenital anomaly primarily observed in neonates, and adult-onset cases are exceedingly rare. Studies on adult congenital intestinal malrotation are limited. METHODS: A case with congenital intestinal malrotation is reported in our study. The clinical data were collected and the treatment process and effect were evaluated. RESULTS: A 45-year-old female who had been experiencing vomiting for over 40 years was admitted to our hospital. According to the result of CT scan, intestinal volvulus accompanied by bowel obstruction was suspected. Then laparoscopic examination was applied to the patient and was ultimately diagnosed with adult congenital intestinal malrotation. We performed Ladd's procedure combined with gastrojejunostomy and Braun anastomosis. The patient recovered well and was successfully discharged from the hospital on the 13th day after surgery. After a 6-month follow-up, the symptom of vomiting was significantly alleviated and body weight was gained for 10 kg. She was very satisfied with the treatment. CONCLUSION: Adult congenital intestinal malrotation is a rare disease that is often misdiagnosed owing to nonspecific clinical manifestations. Therefore, awareness about this condition should be enhanced. Surgery remains the cornerstone of treatment for this disease. Combining gastrojejunostomy and Braun anastomosis with the traditional Ladd procedure can optimize surgical outcomes.

Factors associated with D-lactic acidosis in pediatric intestinal failure: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND: D-lactic acidosis (DLA) is a serious complication of short bowel syndrome (SBS) in children with intestinal failure (IF). Malabsorbed carbohydrates are metabolized by bacteria in the intestine to D-lactate which can lead to metabolic acidosis and neurologic symptoms. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed in children ≤18 years old with SBS who had one of the following criteria: unexplained metabolic acidosis, neurologic signs or symptoms, history of antibiotic therapy for small bowel bacterial overgrowth, or high clinical suspicion of DLA. Cases had serum D-lactate concentration >0.25 mmol/L; controls with concentrations ≤0.25 mmol/L. RESULTS: Of forty-six children, median age was 3.16 (interquartile range (IQR): 1.98, 5.82) years, and median residual bowel length was 40 (IQR: 25, 59) cm. There were 23 cases and 23 controls. Univariate analysis showed that cases had significantly lower median bicarbonate (19 vs. 24 mEq/L, p = 0.001), higher anion gap (17 vs. 14 mEq/L, p < 0.001) and were less likely to be receiving parenteral nutrition, compared with children without DLA. Multivariable analysis identified midgut volvulus, history of intestinal lengthening procedure, and anion gap as significant independent risk factors. Midgut volvulus was the strongest independent factor associated with DLA (adjusted odds ratio = 17.1, 95% CI: 2.21, 133, p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: DLA is an important complication of pediatric IF due to SBS. Patients with IF, particularly those with history of midgut volvulus, having undergone intestinal lengthening, or with anion gap acidosis, should be closely monitored for DLA.

Left-sided appendicitis managed laparoscopically: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Appendicitis is one of the most common causes of acute abdominal pain and remains the most common abdominal-related emergency seen in emergency room that needs urgent surgery (Yang et al. in J Emerg Med 43:980-2, 2012. 10.1016/j.jemermed.2010.11.056, Wickramasinghe et al. in World J Surg 45:1999-2008, 2021. 10.1007/s00268-021-06077-5). The characteristic presentation is a vague epigastric or periumbilical discomfort or pain that migrates to the lower right quadrant in 50% of cases. Other related symptoms, such as nausea, anorexia, vomiting, and change in bowel habits, occur in varying percentages. The diagnosis is usually reached through comprehensive history, physical examination, laboratory tests, and radiological investigations as needed. Nowadays, computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis is considered the modality of choice for definitive assessment of patients being evaluated for possible appendicitis. Anatomical variations or an ectopic appendix are rarely reported or highlighted in literature. CASE PRESENTATION: Left-sided appendicitis is a rare (Hu et al. in Front Surg 2022. 10.3389/fsurg.2022.896116) and atypical presentation and has rarely been reported. The majority of these cases are associated with congenital midgut malrotation, situs inversus, or an extremely long appendix (Akbulut et al. in World J Gastroenterol 16:5598-5602, 2010. 10.3748/wjg.v16.i44.5598). This case is of significance to raise awareness regarding an anatomical variation of the appendix that might delay or mislead diagnosis of appendicitis and to confirm safety of a laparoscopic approach in dealing with a left-sided appendicitis case (Yang et al. in J Emerg Med 43:980-2, 2012. 10.1016/j.jemermed.2010.11.056). We report a case of left-sided appendicitis in a 12-year-old child managed successfully via a laparoscopic approach. CONCLUSION: Appendicitis remains the most common abdominal-related emergency that needs urgent surgery (Akbulut et al. in World J Gastroenterol 16:5598-5602, 2010. 10.3748/wjg.v16.i44.5598). Left-sided appendicitis is a rare (Hu et al. in Front Surg 2022. 10.3389/fsurg.2022.896116, Hu et al. in Front Surg 9:896116, 2022. 10.3389/fsurg.2022.896116) and atypical presentation and has rarely been reported. Awareness regarding an anatomical variation of the appendix and diagnostic modalities on a computed tomography scan help avoid delay in diagnosis and management of such a rare entity (Vieira et al. in J Coloproctol 39(03):279-287, 2019. 10.1016/j.jcol.2019.04.003). A laparoscopic approach is a safe approach for management of left-sided appendicitis (Yang et al. in J Emerg Med 43:980-2, 2012. 10.1016/j.jemermed.2010.11.056, Hu et al. in Front Surg 9:896116, 2022. 10.3389/fsurg.2022.896116).

Feasibility of Gastrografin Use for Adhesive Small Bowel Obstruction in Low-Income Countries.

INTRODUCTION: Small bowel obstruction (SBO) is one of the most common causes for hospital admission in Ethiopia. The use of water-soluble contrast agents (WSCAs) such as Gastrografin to manage adhesive SBO can predict nonoperative resolution of SBO and reduce decision time to surgery and length of hospital stay. However, nothing is known about practice patterns and Gastrografin use in low-income settings. We sought to characterize current management practices, including use of WSCAs, as well as outcomes for patients with SBO in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. METHODS: We conducted a mixed-methods study consisting of a survey of surgeons throughout Ethiopia and a retrospective record review at five public, tertiary care-level teaching hospitals in Addis Ababa. RESULTS: Of the 76 surgeons who completed the survey, 63% had heard of the use of WSCAs for SBO and only 11% used oral agents for its management. Chart review of 149 patients admitted with SBO showed the most common etiology was adhesion (39.6% of admissions), followed by small bowel volvulus (20.8%). Most patients (83.2%) underwent surgery during their admission. The most common diagnosis in patients who did not require surgery was also adhesion (68.0%), as well as for those who had surgery (33.9%), followed by small bowel volvulus (24.2%). CONCLUSIONS: The etiology of SBO in Ethiopia may be changing, with postoperative adhesions becoming more common than other historically more prevalent causes. Although a Gastrografin protocol as a diagnostic and potentially therapeutic aid for SBO is feasible in this population and setting, challenges can be anticipated, and future studies of protocol implementation and effectiveness are needed to further inform its utility in Ethiopia and other low-income and middle-income countries.