Volvulus of the gastrointestinal tract.

Volvulus describes the twisting of the intestine or colon around its mesentery. Intestinal obstruction and/or ischaemia are the most common complications of volvulus. Within the gastrointestinal tract, there is a preponderance towards colonic volvulus. The sigmoid is the most commonly affected segment, followed by the caecum, small intestine and stomach. Distinguishing between the differing anatomical locations of gastrointestinal volvulus can be challenging, but is important for the management and prognosis. This article focuses on the main anatomical sites of gastrointestinal volvulus encountered in clinical practice. The aetiology, presentation, radiological features and management options for each are discussed to highlight the key differences.

Impact of Focused Abdominal Ultrasound Utilization on Outcomes for Children With Midgut Volvulus.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound (US) is gaining acceptance for the evaluation of midgut volvulus in children. However, its impact on clinical outcomes is unknown. We aim to determine whether using US as a first-line modality changes imaging mobilization, time to surgery and re-feeding, length of stay, and frequency of bowel necrosis, short bowel syndrome, and death. METHODS: An IRB-approved retrospective cohort study was performed at a tertiary pediatric institution. Eighty children with surgically confirmed midgut volvulus from 2014 to 2021 were compared before and after implementation of US as first-line imaging and based on the modality used to diagnose midgut volvulus. RESULTS: Outcomes were not statistically different pre- versus post-implementation. Compared with patients who had UGI only, those who had US only or both had significantly quicker imaging mobilization (median: -33 min; 95% CI: -61.2, -4.8; p = 0.023 and median: -31 min; 95% CI: -58.5, -3.6; p = 0.028 respectively). Patients with US only were less likely to have bowel necrosis compared with those who had UGI only (9.1% versus 43.8%, p = 0.042). Patients who had US only or both were less likely to develop short bowel syndrome compared to UGI only (4.8% US only, 0% both, 40% UGI only; p = 0.027 for US only, p = 0.005 for both). CONCLUSIONS: No statistically significant change in outcomes was found after implementation of US as first-line imaging for midgut volvulus. However, patients diagnosed with US only or US in combination with UGI had quicker imaging mobilization and decreased frequency of bowel necrosis and short bowel syndrome. Findings suggest that US has potential to improve patient outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Compound volvulus: ileosigmoid knot.

Compound volvulus, also known as ileosigmoid knot, is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction due to twisting of the small bowel around the large bowel or vice-versa. It poses a diagnostic dilemma due to the presence of features of closed-loop obstruction of both the small and large bowel. Being a surgical emergency due to the rapid progression to gangrene of involved segments leading to septicaemia, early suspicion of the disease entity, adequate resuscitation and prompt treatment are the need of the hour. Three cases encountered and managed in our setting are described here with a review of the literature.

The performance of ultrasound and upper gastrointestinal study in diagnosing malrotation in children, with or without volvulus.

BACKGROUND: Rapid diagnosis is crucial for pediatric patients with midgut volvulus and malrotation to prevent serious complications. While the upper gastrointestinal study (UGIS) is the traditional method, the use of ultrasound (US) is gaining prominence. OBJECTIVES: To assess the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of US compared to UGIS for malrotation and midgut volvulus. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed on 68 pediatric patients who underwent US and/or UGIS before surgery for suspected midgut volvulus or malrotation in Kuala Lumpur (PPUKM and HTA), referencing surgical outcomes as the gold standard. RESULTS: US demonstrated a higher specificity (100%) than UGIS (83%) for diagnosing malrotation, with a slightly lower sensitivity (97% vs. 100%). For midgut volvulus, US surpassed UGIS in sensitivity (92.9% vs. 66.7%) while maintaining comparable specificity. The SMA/SMV criteria showed better sensitivity (91.1%) than the D3 assessment (78.9%) on US, though both had high specificity. CONCLUSION: US is equivalent to UGIS for identifying malrotation and is more sensitive for detecting midgut volvulus, supporting its use as a primary diagnostic tool. The study advocates for combined US and UGIS when either yields inconclusive results, optimizing diagnostic precision for these conditions.

Diagnostic accuracy of upper gastrointestinal series in children with suspected intestinal malrotation.

Intestinal malrotation (IM) results from an altered or incomplete rotation of the fetal midgut around the superior mesenteric artery axis. The abnormal anatomy of IM is associated with risk of acute midgut volvulus which can lead to catastrophic clinical consequences. The upper gastro-intestinal series (UGI) is addressed as the gold standard diagnosis procedure, but a variable failure degree has been described in literature. The aim of the study was to analyze the UGI exam and describe which features are the most reproducible and reliable in diagnosing IM. Medical records of patients surgically treated for suspected IM between 2007 and 2020 at a single pediatric tertiary care center were retrospectively reviewed. UGI inter-observer agreement and diagnostic accuracy were statistically calculated. Images obtained with antero-posterior (AP) projections were the most significant in terms of IM diagnosis. Duodenal-Jejunal Junction (DJJ) abnormal position resulted to be the most reliable parameter (Se = 0.88; Sp = 0.54) as well as the most readable, with an inter-reader agreement of 83% (k = 0.70, CI 0.49-0.90). The First Jejunal Loops (FJL), caecum altered position and duodenal dilatation could be considered additional data. Lateral projections demonstrated an overall low sensitivity (Se = 0.80) and specificity (Sp = 0.33) with a PPV of 0.85 and a NPV of 0.25. UGI on the sole AP projections ensures a good diagnostic accuracy. The position of the third portion of the duodenum on lateral views showed an overall low reliability, therefore it was not helpful but rather deceiving in diagnosing IM.

Neonatal Intestinal Segmental Volvulus: What Are the Differences with Midgut Volvulus?

OBJECTIVE: Intestinal volvulus in the neonate is a surgical emergency caused by either midgut volvulus (MV) with intestinal malrotation or less commonly, by segmental volvulus (SV) without intestinal malrotation. The aim of our study was to investigate if MV and SV can be differentiated by clinical course, intraoperative findings, and postoperative outcomes. METHODS: Using a defined search strategy, two investigators independently identified all studies comparing MV and SV in neonates. PRISMA guidelines were followed, and a meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3. RESULTS: Of 1,026 abstracts screened, 104 full-text articles were analyzed, and 3 comparative studies were selected (112 patients). There were no differences in gestational age (37 vs. 36 weeks), birth weight (2,989 vs. 2,712 g), and age at presentation (6.9 vs. 3.8 days). SV was more commonly associated with abnormal findings on fetal ultrasound (US; 65 vs. 11.6%; p < 0.00001). Preoperatively, SV was more commonly associated with abdominal distension (32 vs. 77%; p < 0.05), whereas MV with a whirlpool sign on ultrasound (57 vs. 3%; p < 0.01). Bilious vomiting had similar incidence in both (88 ± 4% vs. 50 ± 5%). Intraoperatively, SV had a higher incidence of intestinal atresia (2 vs. 19%; p < 0.05) and need for bowel resection (13 vs. 91%; p < 0.00001). There were no differences in postoperative complications (13% MV vs. 14% SV), short bowel syndrome (15% MV vs. 0% SV; data available only from one study), and mortality (12% MV vs. 2% SV). CONCLUSION: Our study highlights the paucity of studies on SV in neonates. Nonetheless, our meta-analysis clearly indicates that SV is an entity on its own with distinct clinical features and intraoperative findings that are different from MV. SV should be considered as one of the differential diagnoses in all term and preterm babies with bilious vomiting after MV was ruled out-especially if abnormal fetal US and abdominal distension is present.

Ultrasound as the first line investigation for midgut malrotation: a UK tertiary centre experience.

AIM: To present the first 22-months experience of transitioning to an ultrasound-first pathway for suspected midgut malrotation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An "ultrasound-first" imaging pathway was initiated in October 2021. Twenty-two-months later, a search was undertaken of all <1-year-old patients with "bilious", "malrotation," or "volvulus" as the imaging indication. Reports and images from upper gastrointestinal fluoroscopy (UGI) and ultrasound were reviewed, and diagnoses and outcomes were documented. RESULTS: The search yielded 101 eligible cases between October 2021 and July 2023. Of the patients, 63/101 (62%) had both ultrasound and UGI: 47/63 (75%) ultrasound first, 16/63 (25%) UGI first. Thirty-one per cent (31/101) had ultrasound only and 7/70 (10%) UGI only. The pathway diagnosed 7/8 (88%) infants with midgut malrotation with or without volvulus and one infant who had an inconclusive ultrasound examination with a suspected an internal hernia and who was found to have malrotation volvulus at surgery. Twenty-one infants who had confidently normal ultrasound examinations and who also had UGI all had a normal duodenojejunal flexure position. Ultrasound detected alternative pathology in eight children. Duodenal visualisation improved with time: 6/15 (40%) in the first 6 months to 23/34 (68%) after the first year. CONCLUSION: The transition to ultrasound as the first diagnostic test for midgut malrotation can be done safely and effectively in a UK centre, which previously relied solely on UGI.

Surgical management of congenital malrotation presenting in adulthood.

Intestinal malrotation is characterised by positional and congenital fixation abnormalities resulting from a failure in embryonic development in the normal 270° rotation around the axis of the superior mesenteric artery. Intestinal malrotation is primarily thought to affect neonates with an incidence of 1 in 500, however, only 1 in 6000 live births are symptomatic, and these usually present within the first month of life in 40% of cases and within the first year in over 5% of cases as an obstructive pathology or volvulus. In adults, however, the incidence has been documented at 0.2%. These patients usually present with postprandial symptoms that are intermittent such as bilious emesis, abdominal pain and malabsorption. Rarely, adults with congenital malrotation may present with acute obstruction due to volvulus, however, less than 100 adult cases are described in the literature. A high index of suspicion is required to identify cases of malrotation in the adult patient which leads to delays in diagnosis and therefore increases in morbidity can be seen.

Malrotación intestinal en el adulto: cirugía de Ladd laparoscópica / Intestinal Malrotation in Adults: laparoscopic Ladd's Surgery

Las malrotaciones por bandas de Ladd son un subtipo de anormalidades de la embriogénesis consistentes en prolongaciones fibrosas, producto de una fijación anómala del mesenterio. Se extienden desde el ciego mal rotado hacia el retroperitoneo, pudiendo producir compresión extrínseca del duodeno. En el 90% de los casos la presentación clínica tiene lugar dentro del primer año de vida como un cuadro agudo, en forma de oclusión duodenal o vólvulo de intestino delgado con la consecuente isquemia de este o hernia interna. En la edad adulta, las formas de presentación son menos específicas. Los métodos de referencia ("gold standard") utilizados para el diagnóstico son la seriada gastroduodenal y la tomografía computarizada. El tratamiento quirúrgico consiste en la cirugía de Ladd, cuyo abordaje convencional fue descripto en 1936 por William Ladd. Presentamos el caso de un paciente adulto con un cuadro oclusivo, causado por dicha anomalía, diagnosticado de forma oportuna y resuelto de manera segura por vía laparoscópica. (AU)

Ladd's band malrotations are a subtype of abnormalities of embryogenesis consisting of fibrous extensions, product of abnormal fixation of the mesentery, that goes from the poorly rotated cecum towards the retroperitoneum, which can cause extrinsic compression of the duodenum. In 90% of cases, the clinical presentation takes place within the first year of life, as an acute condition, like duodenal occlusion or small bowel volvulus with its consequent ischemia or internal hernia. In adulthood, the forms of presentation are less specific. The gold standard methods used for diagnosis are gastroduodenal series and computed tomography. Surgical treatment consists of Ladd's surgery, whose conventional approach was described in 1936 by William Ladd. We present ta case of an adult patient with an occlusive presentation, given by this anomaly, diagnosed in a timely manner and safely resolved by laparoscopic approach. (AU)

Caecal volvulus following a complicated caesarean section.

A caecal volvulus is a rare, but severe complication to a caesarean section, with serious risks of perforation, necrosis and peritonitis. We describe a case of a Middle Eastern woman admitted for an elective caesarean section due to a history of three cesareans in her home country. The operation was complicated by massive adhesions and a postpartum bleed of 1750 mL. She developed severe abdominal pain refractory to strong pain medication postoperatively. She was diagnosed with a caecal volvulus without perforation on CT, which was confirmed by laparotomy. The patient was treated with a hemicolectomy and made a full recovery.

Redo Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass in a Patient with Intestinal Malrotation: Report of a Case and Video Vignette.

Unknown intestinal rotation anomaly poses a challenge in laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery. We present a case of a patient with intestinal non-rotation that stayed undetected throughout performing a laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. As a result, the alimentary limb was constructed in an anti-peristaltic way, and the whole gastric bypass was located far more distally than usual. Postoperatively, the patient presented with recurring nausea and vomiting. After several diagnostic steps, a computed tomography finally revealed the inadvertently reverse directed gastric bypass and the pre-existing condition of intestinal non-rotation. This was followed by a diagnostic laparoscopy and the reconstruction of the gastric bypass in "mirrored" technique.

Midgut volvulus in a pediatric patient with chronic constipation, congenital intestinal malrotation and internal transmesocolic hernia.

Congenital intestinal malrotation occurs in 1 of 500 newborns and can predispose patients to intestinal volvulus and internal herniation, putting patients at risk for intestinal ischaemia. A male patient in early childhood with a history of severe constipation presented with acute abdominal pain, progressing rapidly to compensated shock. CT scan was suspicious for small bowel ischaemia and superior mesenteric artery compression. He underwent emergency exploratory laparotomy. Intraoperative findings were significant for partial intestinal malrotation with mobile ascending colon and high-riding caecum, and internal herniation with midgut volvulus of the ascending colon through a mesenteric defect in the proximal transverse colon. Derotation of the volvulus, reduction of the internal hernia, resection of necrotic segments of the bowel and a modified Ladd's procedure were performed. Postoperatively, the patient is total parenteral nutrition (TPN) dependent due to short bowel syndrome. A high index of suspicion with prompt imaging is paramount for paediatric patients with symptoms indicating intestinal obstruction.

Malrotation in Adult and Adolescent Patients.

BACKGROUND: Malrotation in children presents with bilious emesis and can be life threatening. Data on adults is lacking. METHODS: Single institution, retrospective 20-year data collection on adult (>18 years) and adolescent patients (12-18) with symptomatic malrotation. We evaluated demographics, surgical approach, hospital stay, time to feed, and type of surgeon with descriptive statistics to analyze each group. RESULTS: Adult (n=17) and adolescent patients (n=8) primarily presented with acute abdominal pain (82% adult, 100% adolescent), and non-bilious emesis (0%), and had elective repair. CT scan was diagnostic for 82% adults and 71% adolescents. Overall, 88% had improvement in symptoms. CONCLUSION: In this single institution series comparing adults and adolescent patients with malrotation, 88% have resolution of pain after repair, despite atypical presentations. CT scan is diagnostic and laparoscopic approach should be considered.

Small bowel segment with Meckel's diverticulum volvulus related to short mesodiverticular band: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Meckel's diverticulum is a remnant of the omphalomesenteric duct and occurs in only about 2% of people. Mesodiverticular band is the congenital remnant of the vitelline artery and is an even less often occurring phenomenon. PRESENTED CASE: We present the case of a 56-year-old Caucasian male who was admitted to the emergency department with a very intense, sudden abdominal pain, without past abdominal surgery history. Contrast enhanced computed tomography showed a possibly ischemic closed loop of the small intestine. Urgent laparotomy was performed, during which bloody content in the peritoneal cavity and torsed loop of the small intestine with Meckel's diverticulum were found. The bowel loop and Meckel's diverticulum were ischemic. At the tip of Meckel's diverticulum there was a broken fibrous band extending to mesentery with pulsating artery. We did segmental resection of small intestine including Meckel's diverticulum and primary end-to-end anastomosis. The patient had an unremarkable postoperative hospital stay and was discharged home after 5 days. CONCLUSION: In our case, we describe a patient with the volvulus of a segment of small bowel and Meckel's diverticulum, which eventually led to small bowel obstruction and ischemia. It was a very rare case that required urgent surgical treatment.

Sigmoid volvulus management, only endoscopic devolvulation?

Intestinal obstruction due to sigmoid volvulus (SV) represents a relevant percentage of abdominal diseases presenting at the emergency department. Treatment is based on early endoscopic devolvulation (ED), followed by elective surgery as definitive treatment. A 78-year-old man institutionalized with Lewy body dementia presents with abdominal pain, distention, and absence of stool in 72 hours. Coffee bean sign was seen in abdominal x-ray. Previously, he had been admitted three times last year with recurrent SV, managed with ED succesfully. Despite the recurrence, no surgical treatment was indicated after resolution of the acute situation and recovery of intestinal transit. This time, urgent colonoscopy was performed and a 20 cm length of purplish-black (isquemic) sigmoid mucosa was observed. With these findings of stablished intestinal ischemia urgent surgical intervention was performed (sigmoidectomy and terminal "Hartmann" colostomy). Histologically, necrosis, severe ulceration and mixed inflammation was noticed in the surgical piece. The patient develops favorably during a postoperative period without incidents. Therefore, he is discharged to his center. At the moment he is asymptomatic one year after the intervention with no new episodes. Recurrency of SV after ED is up to 86% of cases. In every episode, the incidence of complications such as intestinal ischemia or perforation increases significantly, as well as urgent surgery and mortality. Definitive treatment must be surgical, sigmoidectomy and terminal anastomosis is the choice technique.