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)

Respiratory distress and tracheal deviation secondary to sigmoid volvulus / Dificultad respiratoria y desviación traqueal secundaria a vólvulo sigmoideo ­ Un reporte de caso

INTRODUCTION: The trachea is a semiflexible tube of 1.5 to 2 cm in width and 10 to 13 cm in length. Its deviation might be caused by not only diverse thoracic but also abdominal pathologies, which may compromise the airway. We present a case of a severe tracheal deviation due to an abdominal pathology causing displacement of mediastinal structures. CLINICAL CASE: A 78-year-old woman presents with difficulty breathing. History of chronic bedridden and frequently constipated, last stool 5 days prior. On physical examination, cachectic complexion, dry mucous membranes, breathing superficially with scarce wheezing, SatO2 82% on room air. Abdomen distended with an absence of bowel sounds. Chest x-rays show severe tracheal deviation and abdominal x-ray with coffee bean sign. A laparotomy evidences a large sigmoid volvulus. A sigmoidectomy and descending colon colostomy is performed. Room air oxygen saturation improved after extubation to 96%.CONCLUSION: Desaturation and tracheal deviation were caused by a large sigmoid volvulus. Although these pathologies were thoracic, clinicians should suspect different underlying pathologies, in this case, abdominal

INTRODUCCIÓN: La tráquea es un tubo semiflexible de 1-5 a 2 cm de ancho y 10 a 13 cm de longitud. Puede presentar desviaciones en su trayecto, no solo por patologías torácicas, sino también abdominales, las cuales pueden comprometer la vía aérea. Presentamos el caso de una desviación severa de la tráquea por una patología abdominal que ocasionó desplazamiento de las estructuras mediastinales. REPORTE DE CASO: Mujer de 78 años que se presenta por dificultad respiratoria. Antecedente de postramiento crónico en cama y estreñimiento frecuente, con última deposición 5 días previos. En la exploración física presenta complexión caquéctica, mucosas secas, respiración superficial con sibilancias, saturando 82% al aire ambiente. Abdomen distendido con ausencia de ruidos intestinales. Radiografía torácica muestra desviación traqueal severa y la radiografía abdominal muestra signo del grano de café. En el abordaje por laparotomía se evidencia un vólvulo sigmoideo grande. Se realizó sigmoidectomía y colostomía del colon descendiente. La saturación al aire ambiente mejoró después de la extubación a 96%. CONCLUSIÓN: La desaturación y desviación traqueal fueron causadas por un vólvulo sigmoideo grande. Aunque estas patologías eran torácicas, el clínico debe sospechar diferentes patologías de base, como en este caso, abdominales.

Synchronous volvulus of the cecum and sigmoid colon: a rare cause of intestinal obstruction.

A 102-year-old female with a past medical history of sigmoid volvulus resolved by colonoscopy a year ago presents to the emergency department with sigmoid volvulus, which is resolved by colonoscopy and rectal tube placement. Three days later, she presented abdominal distention and recurrence of the volvulus, for which a surgical resolution was decided. Laparotomy was performed, where sigmoid and cecal volvulus was found. A cecal detorsion and a cecopexy were performed, and an extended left hemicolectomy with a terminal colostomy to treat the sigmoid volvulus. The patient presents an adequate postoperative period and is discharged. Three months later, the patient was in good clinical condition, eating normally without complications. Volvulus refers to the torsion of a segment of the gastrointestinal tract. The most common sites for colonic volvulus are sigmoid and cecum; however, it is infrequent for these to occur together. We only found six cases reported in the literature of synchronous volvulus of the cecum and sigmoid colon. None of the cases was the diagnosis made preoperatively, suggesting a difficult diagnosis. Treatment depends on the patient's condition; in most reported cases, a subtotal colectomy was performed. The prognosis depends on prompt surgical intervention.

Se reporta un caso de una femenina de 102 años de edad, con antecedente de vólvulo sigmoideo resuelto por medio de colonoscopia hace un año. Se presenta al servicio de urgencias con vólvulo sigmoideo, el cual se resuelve por medio de colonoscopia y se coloca un tubo rectal. Tres días después, presenta nuevamente distensión y recurrencia del vólvulo, por lo cual se decide resolución quirúrgica. Durante la cirugía se encuentra un vólvulo sigmoideo, así como cecal. Se realiza una detorsión con cecopexia y hemicolectomía izquierda con colostomía terminal. La paciente presenta adecuada evolución. Sin complicaciones tres meses después. Vólvulo se refiere a la torsión de un segmento del tracto gastrointestinal. Los sitios más comunes de vólvulos colónicos son sigmoides y ciego, sin embargo, es extremadamente raro que estos se presenten juntos. Únicamente encontramos seis casos reportados en la literatura de vólvulo sincronico sigmoideo y cecal. En ninguno de los casos, se hizo el diagnóstico preoperatoriamente, lo que sugiere un diagnóstico complicado. El tratamiento depende del estado del paciente; en la mayoría de los casos reportados, se realizó una colectomía subtotal. El pronóstico depende de la intervención quirúrgica oportuna.

Elective laparoscopic sigmoidectomy with preservation of the superior rectal artery prior to endoscopic decompression in sigmoid volvulus

Sigmoid volvulus is a frequent cause of intestinal obstruction. Its management has evolved with the use of laparoscopic surgery, achieving an elective sigmoid resection with anastomosis after a flexible endoscopic detorsion. A female patient was admitted to the emergency room with abdominal pain, distention, and constipation. The abdominal computed tomography showed a whirled sigmoid mesentery in addition to dilated sigmoid loops, and coffee bean sign. The patient successfully underwent a flexible endoscopic detorsion and was scheduled for elective sigmoid colectomy with rectal superior artery preservation and primary anastomosis. During the sigmoid resection, the superior rectal artery preservation is related to a better prognostic, with less bleeding, anastomotic leakage, and hospital stay. Currently, there are few reports of the laparoscopic preservation of the superior rectal artery in patients with sigmoid volvulus. (AU)

Vólvulo de intestino medio: a propósito de dos casos / Middle intestine volvulus: on the purpose of two cases / Volvulus do intestino médio: com propósito de dois casos

La malrotación intestinal es un espectro de malformaciones, que incluye una gran variedad de alteraciones en el proceso de rotación y fijación del intestino. La ausencia completa de rotación intestinal, uno de los tipos de malrotación intestinal más frecuentes, puede presentarse como hallazgo asintomático o manifestarse clínicamente por un vólvulo del intestino medio. Sin embargo, incluso entre aquellos que se presentan con vólvulo del intestino medio, la clínica puede ser muy diferente, según el grado de isquemia y eventual necrosis intestinal. Se presentan dos casos clínicos de malrotación intestinal con vólvulo del intestino medio con presentaciones, imágenes, tratamientos y evoluciones muy disímiles. Se analizan los mismos a la luz de una revisión bibliográfica relevante al tema tratado, se sacan aprendizajes del manejo realizado y la evolución que presentaron, y se enfatizan los elementos de mayor jerarquía para optimizar el manejo de estos pacientes.

Intestinal malrotation is a spectrum of malformations that includes a great variety of alterations in the rotation and fixation process of the intestines. The total absence of intestinal rotation, one of the most frequents types of intestinal malrotation could present as an asymptomatic find or appear clinically as a midgut volvulus. However, even those that appear as midgut volvulus, could show quite different signs and symptoms according to the degree of ischemic insult and possible intestinal necrosis. Two clinical cases of intestinal malrotation with midgut volvulus with quite different presentations, images, treatments, and evolutions, are informed. The two cases are analyzed under a relevant bibliographic revision, knowledge is derived from the carried-out management and evolution, and elements for the future optimization of management are underlined.

A má rotação intestinal é um espectro de malformações, que inclui uma grande variedade de alterações no processo de rotação e fixação do intestino. A ausência completa de rotação intestinal, um dos tipos mais comuns de má rotação intestinal, pode se apresentar como um achado assintomático ou manifestar-se clinicamente como um volvo de intestino médio. Porém, mesmo entre aqueles que apresentam volvo de intestino médio, os sintomas podem ser muito diferentes, dependendo do grau de isquemia e eventual necrose intestinal. Dois casos clínicos de má rotação intestinal com volvo de intestino médio são apresentados com apresentações, imagens, tratamentos e evoluções muito diferentes. São analisados ​​à luz de uma revisão bibliográfica pertinente ao tema em questão, lições aprendidas com o manejo realizado e a evolução que apresentaram, e os elementos de maior hierarquia são enfatizados para otimizar o manejo desses pacientes.

Atraumatic splenic rupture secondary to appendicular perforation by cecal volvulus.

Atraumatic splenic rupture, an infrequent surgical emergency, constitutes a life-threatening situation. The lack of a traumatic background makes it difficult to suspect. We present a case of a 45-year-old woman, with history of bariatric surgery, referred to our emergency due to 3 weeks long abdominal and lumbar pain, in shock. Imaging diagnosis of splenic rupture, emergent surgery was performed with atypical findings and good evolution. The bibliographic review, background and surgical findings allowed to postulate causality in this unusual presentation. Despite its low frequency, this pathology involves significant mortality and must be present in the patient in shock in the emergency room.

La rotura esplénica atraumática, una emergencia quirúrgica infrecuente, constituye una situación de riesgo vital. La falta de antecedente traumático dificulta su sospecha. Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 45 años, con antecedente de cirugía bariátrica, remitida a nuestro servicio de urgencias por dolor abdominal y lumbar de 3 semanas, en shock. Con el diagnóstico imagenológico de rotura esplénica, se realizó cirugía emergente, con hallazgos atípicos, y la paciente tuvo una buena evolución. La revisión bibliográfica, los antecedentes y los hallazgos quirúrgicos permitieron postular la causalidad en esta inusual presentación. Pese a su poca frecuencia, esta patología comporta una mortalidad importante y debe tenerse presente ante un paciente en shock en la sala de urgencias.

Signo del remolino: cirugía de urgencia o falacia ad populum / Whirpool sign: emergency surgery or Falacia ad populum

Introducción: Las pruebas de diagnóstico por imagen se han convertido en una pieza crucial en el diagnóstico del abdomen agudo en la urgencia, sin embargo, la conducta médica deberá basarse en los hallazgos iconográficos contextualizados. El signo tomográfico del remolino constituye un paradigma por su asociación con el vólvulo intestinal. Objetivos: Registrar pacientes con diagnóstico de abdomen agudo en busca del "signo del remolino" en la tomografía computada e identificar quiénes requirieron intervención quirúrgica. Métodos: Estudio analítico de corte transversal evaluándose 115 tomografías computadas de abdomen agudo obstructivo en búsqueda del signo del remolino. Resultados: 15 tomografías fueron excluidas por tratarse de estudios solicitados en posoperatorios. El signo del remolino se presentó en el 5%. Los diagnósticos fueron de mal rotación intestinal (2%), vólvulo de intestino delgado (1%), vólvulo de sigma (1%) y enterocolitis (1%). Sólo el 60% de los pacientes requirieron cirugía. Discusión: La presencia del signo del remolino no siempre obedece a una resolución quirúrgica. No es patognomónico de una sola entidad puntual, pudiendo representar un hallazgo en el contexto de otra patología aguda, por lo que se debería reconocer sus variantes para instaurar el tratamiento adecuado, sea quirúrgico o médico.

Introduction: The imaging test have become an important piece on the diagnosis of the acute abdomen in emergency, nevertheless medical conduct should be based on contextualized iconographic findings. The tomographic "whirlpool sign" establishes a surgical paradigm for its association with the bowel volvulus. Objetive: To register patients with diagnosis of acute abdomen looking for the "whirlpool sign" in the computed tomography and identify who needed surgical intervention. Methods: Analytical cross-sectional study. 115 tomographies of acute obstructive abdomen have being evaluated. Results: 15 tomographies were excluded. The prevalence of the whirlpool sign was 5%. Diagnoses were intestinal malrotation (2%), midgut volvulus (1%), sigmoid volvulus (1%) and enterocolitis (1%). Only 60% of the patients required surgery. Discussion: The presence of the "whirlpool sign" not always determines a surgical resolution. It is not a pathognomonic sign of a punctual entity; it could represent an ordinary finding in the context of several pathologies. To apply the correct treatment, surgical or medical, for these patients it was important to recognize "whirlpool sign" variants.

Left Upper-Quadrant Appendicitis in a Patient with Congenital Intestinal Malrotation and Polysplenia.

BACKGROUND Appendicitis is the most common cause of abdominal pain requiring emergent surgical intervention. Although typically presenting as right lower-quadrant pain, in rare cases it may present as left upper-quadrant pain secondary to abnormal position due to intestinal malrotation. Since atypical presentations may result in diagnostic and management delay, increasing morbidity and mortality, accurate and prompt diagnosis is important. Therefore, acute appendicitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of left upper-quadrant abdominal pain. In this setting, medical imaging plays a key role in diagnosis. We report a case of a 13-year-old female with undiagnosed intestinal malrotation presenting with left-sided acute appendicitis. CASE REPORT A 13-year-old Hispanic female presented at the emergency room with anorexia and left upper-quadrant abdominal pain with involuntary guarding. The laboratory work-up was remarkable for elevated white blood cell count and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate. A nasogastric tube was placed and abdominal x-rays performed to rule-out bowel obstruction, showing distended bowel loops throughout all abdominal quadrants, with sigmoid and proximal rectal gas, raising concern for ileus rather than an obstructive pattern. Lack of symptomatic improvement prompted an IV contrast-enhanced abdominopelvic CT, revealing intestinal malrotation and with an inflamed left upper-quadrant appendix. Surgical management proceeded with a laparoscopic Ladd's procedure. CONCLUSIONS Acute appendicitis may present with atypical symptoms due to unusual appendix locations, such as in malrotation. Most cases are asymptomatic until development of acute complications, requiring imaging for diagnosis. Clinicians and radiologists should have a high index of suspicion and knowledge of its clinical presentations to achieve early diagnosis and intervention.

Detecting Intestinal Malrotation on Hepatobiliary Scintigraphy: Making a Case for a Better Standardized Reporting Template.

Intestinal malrotation displays classic pattern of the small bowel activity on hepatobiliary scintigraphy that could lead to the diagnosis, but only if an interpreting physician looks for it. Presented are 2 cases, one demonstrates diagnostic findings during the first 60-minute phase, whereas the other reveals the diagnosis only on the later sincalide stimulation phase. The currently recommended structured reporting for hepatobiliary scintigraphy does not include examination of bowel activity pattern, which could result in a missed diagnosis. Including interrogation of the small bowel pattern into the structured reporting checklist would ensure consistent detection of this rare but most consequential diagnosis.

Vólvulo primario de íleon: una rara forma de obstrucción intestinal en el adulto: reporte de caso y revisión de la literatura / Primary volvulus of ileum: A rare form of intestinal obstruction in the adult: case report and literature review

Resumen Antecedentes El vólvulo de intestino delgado se produce por el giro anormal del intestino delgado alrededor del eje de su propio mesenterio, lo cual puede generar obstrucción intestinal, isquemia, infarto o perforación. Caso clínico Paciente masculino de 71 años que cursó con abdomen agudo. Sospechando cuadro de oclusión intestinal, se realizó exploración quirúrgica en la que se encontró como hallazgos vólvulo de intestino delgado en la válvula ileocecal, con isquemia y necrosis de 280 cm de intestino delgado, por lo cual se realizó resección intestinal e ileostomía terminal, preservando 320 cm de intestino delgado viable desde ángulo duodeno-yeyunal. Cursó con una evolución satisfactoria. Discusión El vólvulo de intestino delgado es una entidad infrecuente y una urgencia quirúrgica que amenaza la vida. Se debe sospechar en todos los pacientes que presenten dolor abdominal abrupto y signos de obstrucción intestinal, sin cirugía abdominal previa ni otras causas obvias. El diagnóstico precoz y la intervención quirúrgica inmediata son factores clave asociados con un mejor pronóstico para este grupo de pacientes.

Background The small bowel volvulus is caused by the abnormal rotation of the small intestine around the axis of its own mesentery. This can lead to intestinal obstruction, ischemia, infarction or perforation. Clinical case A 71-year-old male patient with an acute abdominal pain, suspicious for a bowel occlusion, performed a surgical exploration, finding small bowel volvulus at the ileocecal valve level, with necrosis and ischemia of 280 cm of the small intestine, resulting in intestinal resection and terminal ileostomy. Still preserving 320 cm of viable small intestine from the duodenojejunal angle, with a satisfactory evolution. Discussion Small bowel volvulus is an uncommon entity, and a life-threatening surgical emergency, that should be suspected in all patients with abrupt abdominal pain and signs of bowel obstruction, without previous abdominal surgery or other obvious causes. Early diagnosis and immediate surgical intervention are key factors associated with a better prognosis for this group of patients.

Point-of-Care Ultrasound in Acute Neonatal Ascites.

We present a 4-week-old neonate with acute onset of bloody stools and abdominal distention. Point-of-care ultrasound performed in the emergency department allowed for rapid diagnosis of a large amount of free intra-abdominal fluid, which together with the physical findings, prompted emergent operative exploration revealing chylous ascites. Although no areas of active volvulus were identified intraoperatively, findings in the case were suggestive of small bowel volvulus and deemed as the most likely etiology for this patient's presentation. In this report, we review the relevant aspects of ultrasonography for ascites and discuss the diagnosis of chylous ascites.

[Adult intestinal malrotation associated with intestinal volvulus]. / Malrotación intestinal en adulto asociada a vólvulo intestinal.

BACKGROUND: Intestinal malrotation is a congenital anomaly of the intestinal rotation and fixation, and usually occurs in the neonatal age. OBJECTIVE: Description of a clinical case associated with acute occlusive symptoms. CLINICAL CASE: A case of intestinal malrotation is presented in a previously asymptomatic woman of 46 years old with an intestinal obstruction, with radiology and surgical findings showing an absence of intestinal rotation. CONCLUSIONS: Intestinal malrotation in adults is often 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.

[Elective laparoscopic right colectomy for caecal volvulus: case report and literature review]. / Colectomía derecha laparoscópica electiva por vólvulo cecal: reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura.

BACKGROUND: Caecal volvulus is an uncommon cause of intestinal obstruction. Its clinical presentation is non-specific, with the diagnosis usually confirmed by barium enema and abdominal computed tomography. Treatment depends on many factors, and minimally invasive approaches are becoming the treatment of choice. CLINIC CASE: A 54 years old female, admitted to the Emergency Department with clinical symptoms of intestinal obstruction. On physical examination she had a palpable, firm, and tympanitic mass in the right abdomen, with peritoneal irritation. The radiographs of the abdomen, barium enema and abdominal computed tomography showed caecal volvulus. As she showed a full remission after the barium enema, with no clinical or biochemical data of systemic inflammatory response syndrome or peritoneal irritation, she was discharged to her home. Two weeks later, a laparoscopic right hemicolectomy was performed with an ileo-transverse extracorporeal anastomosis. Her progress was satisfactory, and she was discharged 4 days after surgery due to improvement. CONCLUSION: Caecal volvulus is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction, with high mortality rates, and is caused by excessive mobility of the caecum. Its incidence is increasing. Treatment depends on many factors. Early non-surgical untwisting, followed by an elective laparoscopic surgical procedure offers several advantages and reduces mortality.