American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy guideline on the role of endoscopy in the management of acute colonic pseudo-obstruction and colonic volvulus.

Colonic volvulus and acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (ACPO) are 2 causes of benign large-bowel obstruction. Colonic volvulus occurs most commonly in the sigmoid colon as a result of bowel twisting along its mesenteric axis. In contrast, the exact pathophysiology of ACPO is poorly understood, with the prevailing hypothesis being altered regulation of colonic function by the autonomic nervous system resulting in colonic distention in the absence of mechanical blockage. Prompt diagnosis and intervention leads to improved outcomes for both diagnoses. Endoscopy may play a role in the evaluation and management of both entities. The purpose of this document from the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy's Standards of Practice Committee is to provide an update on the evaluation and endoscopic management of sigmoid volvulus and ACPO.

Prognostic value of colonic and peripheral venous lactate measurements in horses with large colon volvulus.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prognostic value of (1) colonic venous lactate or peripheral lactate values obtained before and after manual correction of a large colon volvulus and (2) a combination of variables including pelvic flexure biopsy. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. ANIMALS: Forty adult horses in which large colon volvulus was diagnosed intraoperatively. METHODS: Colonic venous, peripheral venous, and arterial blood samples were collected to measure lactate values before and after manual correction. Mucosal biopsy samples were obtained in cases that underwent enterotomy or colonic resection and anastomosis. Interstitium to crypt (I:C) ratio and hemorrhage scores were measured. Optimal cutoff values were determined by receiver operator curve analysis, and associations between variables and short-term outcome were determined by univariable regression. Short-term survival was defined as horses being discharged from the hospital. P ≤ .05 was considered significant. RESULTS: No association was found between colonic venous lactate values before (P = .011) or after (P = .201) manual correction of large colon volvulus and determination of short-term outcome. Peripheral venous lactate at admission ≥3.2 mmol/L and after manual correction ≥5 mmol/L, arterial lactate postmanual correction ≥3.53 mmol/L, and histomorphometric measurements of mucosal hemorrhage ≥3 and I:C ratio > 1 were associated with poor short-term outcome. CONCLUSION: Peripheral lactate values, histomorphometric measures of I:C ratio, and hemorrhage score provided prognostic information that could help guide recommendations made to owners. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Peripheral lactate values after manual correction provide important intraoperative diagnostic information to assist in predicting case outcome in the operative and immediately postoperative period.

Risk of recurrence of sigmoid volvulus: a single-centre cohort study.

AIM: Sigmoid volvulus is a condition with a tendency to recur if treated conservatively. Little is known about the best type of treatment or when to perform definitive surgery. The aim of this study was to review treatment, and assess the outcome, of sigmoid volvulus in adult patients treated at a Swedish university hospital. METHOD: The medical records of patients treated for sigmoid volvulus at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sweden from January 2000 to September 2016 were reviewed retrospectively. Median follow-up time was 8.3 years. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-eight patients were included with a total of 453 admissions for sigmoid volvulus. Nonoperative decompression was attempted as the initial treatment in 438/453 (97%), with a success rate of 92% (403/438), which was not influenced by whether it was the first episode or a recurrence. Without planned surgery, recurrence occurred after 84% of successful nonoperative decompressions with a median of two recurrences (1-16). Recurrence was less common after the first episode compared with subsequent episodes. Median time until recurrence was 58 days. Mortality after planned surgery following successful decompression was 3.3% (2/61) compared with 13% (6/46) following emergency surgery. CONCLUSION: In our cohort, the recurrence rate of sigmoid volvulus following successful nonoperative decompression was high. Still, more than 20% of patients did not experience a recurrence after their first episode. Nonoperative decompression could thus be suggested as the sole treatment for the first episode of volvulus. However, after the second episode it is probable that early planned surgery would improve outcome and reduce health-care consumption.

[Andean megacolon and sigmoid volvulus in the high altitude. Presentation of 418 cases between 2008 - 2012 at C. Monge Hospital, Puno, Peru]. / Megacolon andino y vólvulo del sigmoides de la altura. Presentación de 418 casos entre 2008 - 2012 en el hospital C. Monge Puno, Perú.

OBJECTIVE: The present study describes the medical and surgical management of sigmoid volvulus due to Andean dolicomegacolon in a hospital at an altitude above 3000 m. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A descriptive, observational, crosssectional study of 418 patients diagnosed with sigmoid volvulus; Admitted initially due to intestinal obstruction, in the Hospital of Juliaca Carlos Monge. Puno-Perú, during the period 2008-2012. The data were processed through the SPSS software version 21. RESULTS: A total of 418 patients were enrolled, the mean age was 60 years, range 18-89 years, and the male/female ratio was 3.5/1. Nonsurgical management was done in 64 (15.4%), the treatment used was saline enema 20 cases (31%) and rectal catheter 44 (69%), recurrence was present in 27 patients (45%), who had surgery with primary anastomosis resection, of which the mortality corresponded to 8 patients (30%). Of the 354 patients undergoing emergency surgical management, 325 were submitted to sigmoidectomy with primary anastomosis (92%), while 29 had Hartmann's colostomy (8%), the morbidity for both procedures was 52 cases (14.7%), Mortality for both procedures was 45 cases (12.7%). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with sigmoid volvulus due to Andean megacolon the mean age was 60 years. The 15.4% had non-surgical management, the recurrence rate was 45%, and mortality 30%. Patients with surgical management was 84.7%, from this group; 92% had primary anastomosis resection and 8% Hartmann colostomy, morbidity was 14.7% and mortality was 12.7%.

Colonic volvulus in the United States: trends, outcomes, and predictors of mortality.

INTRODUCTION: Colonic volvulus is a rare entity associated with high mortality rates. Most studies come from areas of high endemicity and are limited by small numbers. No studies have investigated trends, outcomes, and predictors of mortality at the national level. METHODS: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample 2002-2010 was retrospectively reviewed for colonic volvulus cases admitted emergently. Patients' demographics, hospital factors, and outcomes of the different procedures were analyzed. The LASSO algorithm for logistic regression was used to build a predictive model for mortality in cases of sigmoid (SV) and cecal volvulus (CV) taking into account preoperative and operative variables. RESULTS: An estimated 3,351,152 cases of bowel obstruction were admitted in the United States over the study period. Colonic volvulus was found to be the cause in 63,749 cases (1.90%). The incidence of CV increased by 5.53% per year whereas the incidence of SV remained stable. SV was more common in elderly males (aged 70 years), African Americans, and patients with diabetes and neuropsychiatric disorders. In contrast, CV was more common in younger females. Nonsurgical decompression alone was used in 17% of cases. Among cases managed surgically, resective procedures were performed in 89% of cases, whereas operative detorsion with or without fixation procedures remained uncommon. Mortality rates were 9.44% for SV, 6.64% for CV, 17% for synchronous CV and SV, and 18% for transverse colon volvulus. The LASSO algorithm identified bowel gangrene and peritonitis, coagulopathy, age, the use of stoma, and chronic kidney disease as strong predictors of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Colonic volvulus is a rare cause of bowel obstruction in the United States and is associated with high mortality rates. CV and SV affect different populations and the incidence of CV is on the rise. The presence of bowel gangrene and coagulopathy strongly predicts mortality, suggesting that prompt diagnosis and management are essential.

Effectiveness and clinical results of endoscopic management of sigmoid volvulus using unsedated water-immersion colonoscopy.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Although intestinal obstruction as a result of sigmoid volvulus (SV) may be successfully resolved using endoscopic detorsion, surgical treatment remains the main therapeutic strategy. We evaluated the endoscopic detorsion procedure using unsedated water-immersion colonoscopy for the treatment of SV. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted on the clinical background and prognosis of 21 SV patients who underwent 71 endoscopic detorsion procedures using unsedated, water-immersion colonoscopy. RESULTS: In all, 14 (67%) male and seven (33%) female patients, with a mean age of 73 years (range, 54-95 years) were enrolled; 86% were >70 years of age. Among these patients, 90% had a background of key predisposing factors. In the 21 patients, endoscopic detorsion was successfully done using unsedated water-immersion colonoscopy. SV recurred in 10 patients at a median of 180 days. Endoscopic detorsion for recurrent SV was successfully achieved in all cases, and none of the secondary cases became severe. Only male patients were observed to experience three or more recurrent episodes of SV. CONCLUSIONS: SV occurred most commonly in elderly patients with a surgical risk. Our experience suggests that conservative endoscopic treatment using unsedated water-immersion colonoscopy is a safe, reasonable, conservative endoscopic approach for elderly patients in the absence of necrotic findings. We currently use this procedure in most of our cases.

Sudden onset abdominal pain and distension: an imaging sparkler.

We present a case of a middle-aged patient presenting with acute onset abdominal pain and distension who had signs of bowel obstruction on physical exam. He was afebrile, hemodynamically stable with no peritoneal signs. Abdominal radiograph and CT scan were pathognomic for sigmoid volvulus. Through this case report we want to discuss the presentation, diagnosis, management options for sigmoid volvulus and importance of features suggestive of ischemic bowel that necessitates different management options.

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.

Treatment of sigmoid volvulus: a single-center experience of 952 patients over 46.5 years.

BACKGROUND: Sigmoid volvulus describes the wrapping of the sigmoid colon around itself and its mesentery, causing an intestinal obstruction. The aim of this study was to assess the outcomes of 952 patients treated for sigmoid volvulus over a period of 46.5 years. METHODS: Clinical records were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Nonsurgical detorsion was performed in 686 patients with 77.1 % success, 2.5 % morbidity, 0.7 % mortality, and 4.5 % early recurrence rates; emergency surgical procedures were performed in 447 patients with 35.3 % morbidity, 16.1 % mortality, 0.7 % early recurrence, and 7.4 % late recurrence rates, while elective surgical treatment was performed in 104 patients with 12.5 % morbidity, no mortality, and no recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The principal strategy in the treatment for sigmoid volvulus is early nonsurgical detorsion followed by elective surgery in uncomplicated patients, while emergency surgical treatment is performed for patients with bowel gangrene, perforation, or peritonitis, other difficulties with diagnosis, unsuccessful nonsurgical detorsion, and early recurrence.

Sigmoid volvulus in the elderly: outcomes of a 43-year, 453-patient experience.

PURPOSE: The present study reviewed the clinical outcomes of 453 elderly patients with sigmoid volvulus (SV). METHODS: The clinical records were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 71.1 years of age, and 371 patients (81.9%) were male. Of the patients, 30.7% had recurrent volvulus, 34.6% had associated disease, and 16.5% suffered from shock. The correct diagnosis rate based on the clinical features was 66.4%. Radiography revealed SV findings in 64.9% of the patients. Computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were diagnostic in all cases. Nonoperative detorsion was performed in 323 patients (71.3%) with 77.4% success, 1.2% mortality, 4.0% morbidity, and 4.4% early recurrence rates. Emergency surgery was required in 215 patients (47.5%) and resulted in 24.2% mortality, 41.4% morbidity, 0.9% early recurrence, and 8.1% late recurrence rates. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly SV patients generally present with high percentages of recurrent volvulus, serious comorbidity, late admission, and shock. The clinical features may be less diagnostic. Radiological studies, particularly CT or MRI, may assist in an SV diagnosis. Nonoperative detorsion is advocated as the primary treatment. In emergency surgery, nonresectional or nonanastomotic procedures are preferred. The overall patient prognosis is grave, and the disease tends to recur.

Abdominal manipulation during water-soluble contrast enema - an alternative method of non-operative decompression of sigmoid volvulus?

Sigmoid volvulus is common in some developing countries. We describe a new method of decompression using a Urograffin and saline enema with additional extra-abdominal manual massage.

Volvulus of the sigmoid colon.

AIMS: The current status of sigmoid volvulus (SV) was reviewed to assess trends in management and to assess the literature. METHOD: The literature on SV was retrieved using PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Pakmedinet, African Journals online (AJOL), Indmed and Google scholar. These databases were searched for text words including 'sigmoid', 'colon' and 'volvulus'. Relevant nonindexed surgical journals published from endemic countries were also manually searched. We focused on original articles published within the last 10 years; but classical references prior to this period were also included. Seminal papers published in non-English languages were also included. RESULTS: Sigmoid volvulus is a leading cause of acute colonic obstruction in South America, Africa, Eastern Europe and Asia. It is rare in developed countries such as USA, UK, Japan and Australia. Characteristic geographic variations in the incidence, clinical features, prognosis and comorbidity of SV justify recognition of endemic and sporadic subtypes. Controversy on aetiologic agents can be minimized by classifying them into 'predisposing' and 'precipitating' factors. Modern imaging systems, although more effective than plain radiographs, are yet to gain popularity. Emergency endoscopic reduction is the treatment of choice in uncomplicated patients. But it is only a temporizing procedure, and it should be followed in most cases by elective definitive surgery. Resection of the redundant sigmoid colon is the gold standard operation. The role of newer nonresective alternatives is yet to be ascertained. Although emergency resection with primary anastomosis (ERPA) has been controversial in the past, it is now increasingly accepted as a safe option with superior results. Management in elderly debilitated patients is extremely difficult. Paediatric SV significantly differs from that in adults. SV is frequently associated with neuropsychiatric diseases, diabetes mellitus and Chagas disease. The overall mortality in recent studies is < 5%. CONCLUSION: There are almost no randomised controlled studies. According to the grading system of Oxford Center for Evidence Based Medicine (CEVM), available published evidence is at level 4. The recommendations resulting form this review are of 'C' grade.

Management of acute sigmoid volvulus: an institution's experience over 9 years.

INTRODUCTION: Management of sigmoid volvulus is often challenging because of its prevalence in high-risk patients and the associated perioperative morbidity and mortality rates. This study was designed to review the management and outcome of all patients admitted with sigmoid volvulus. METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients who were admitted for sigmoid volvulus from October 2001 to June 2009 was performed. Diagnosis was confirmed on clinical evaluation, radiological studies, and/or intraoperative findings. RESULTS: Seventy-one patients, median age 73 (range, 17-96) years, were admitted a total of 134 times for acute sigmoid volvulus during the study period. The majority (n = 51, 71.8%) were older than aged 60 years, and 41 (57.7%) had at least one premorbid condition. Seven (9.9%) patients underwent emergency surgery on presentation. The remaining 64 (90.1%) patients were initially managed conservatively using a flatus tube and/or sigmoidoscopic decompression. One patient had an endoscopic-related perforation and required emergency surgery. Another ten patients failed conservative management for which nine underwent operative intervention. The last patient refused surgery and died subsequently. Fifty-three (74.6%) patients had successful conservative management; seven of them underwent elective surgery subsequently. Of the remaining 46 patients, 28 (60.9%) were admitted for recurrent sigmoid volvulus. Of these 28 patients, 12 eventually had elective surgery after successful decompression, whereas the remaining 16 were not operated. In our series, three patients died after emergency surgery and there was no mortality after elective surgery. Another six patients died from medical conditions that were unrelated to sigmoid volvulus. CONCLUSIONS: Acute sigmoid volvulus is a surgical emergency, although the majority (75%) can be successfully decompressed nonoperatively. Emergency surgery in these patients is associated with a mortality of 17.6% in our series. Elective definitive surgery is suggested in view of the high recurrence rate (>60%) and the considerable risks of emergency surgery.

Management of colonic volvulus. Experience in 75 patients.

BACKGROUND: the diagnostic and therapeutic management of colonic volvulus remains nowadays controversial. The election of the type of surgery, its timing, or the use of non-operative decompression must be based on the experience of a multidisciplinary team, the clinical condition of the patient, and the type of volvulus. OBJECTIVES: the purpose of this study is to review our experience and results in the treatment of patients with colonic volvulus. MATERIAL AND METHODS: we performed a retrospective study of patients diagnosed of colonic volvulus between January 1990 and September 2008 in our institution. RESULTS: we included a total of 75 patients with a mean age of 72.7 years and, in most cases, with associated comorbidities and constipation. The most frequently involved segment was sigmoid colon (85.3%). A rectal tube insertion was used as the only therapeutic measure in 17 patients (22.4%), colonoscopic decompression in 17 (22.4%), and surgery in 41 patients (55.2%). Intestinal resection with primary anastomosis was the most common surgical option. Postoperative morbidity was 43%, being wound infections the most frequent complication. In the group of non-surgical treatment morbidity was 26.4%, albeit with a higher and early rate of recurrences. CONCLUSIONS: treatment of colonic volvulus present important morbidity and mortality rates, and its treatment must be individualized. Resective surgery with primary anastomosis in clinically stable patients is the most appropriate therapeutic option, offering the lower recurrence rates.