Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

The ASCRS Textbook of Colon and Rectal Surgery pp 286–298Cite as

Colonic Volvulus

  • Reference work entry

Abstract

Volvulus of the bowel refers to a twisting or torsion of the intestine about its mesentery. The term volvulus, which may involve any segment of the intestinal tract from stomach to rectum, is a Latin word for twisted used by the Romans to signify this condition. Volvulus of the colon usually occurs in the sigmoid or cecum, but may involve any segment of colon. In addition, synchronous volvulus of the sigmoid and cecum,2 or sigmoid and ileum may occur. In the United States, volvulus represents a rare cause of intestinal obstruction, encompassing less than 5% of large bowel obstructions. However, worldwide it is a much more common form of large bowel obstruction, representing more than 50% of the cases in some countries.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

References

  1. Tan PY, Corman ML. History of colonic volvulus. Semin Colon Rectal Surg 1999;10:122–128.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Moore JH, Cintron JR, Duarte B, et al. Synchronous cecal and sigmoid volvulus: report of a case. Dis Colon Rectum 1992;35:803–805.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Puthu D, Rajan N, Shenoy GM, Pai SU. The ileosigmoid knot. Dis Colon Rectum 1991;34:161–166.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Ballantyne GH, Brandner MD, Beart RW, et al. Volvulus of the colon: incidence and mortality. Ann Surg 1985;202:83–92.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Frizelle FA, Wolff BG. Colonic volvulus. Adv Surg 1996;29: 131–139.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Geer DA, Arnaud G, Beitler A, et al. Colonic volvulus: The army medical center experience 1983–1987. Am Surg 1991;57: 295–300.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Ballantyne GH. Review of sigmoid volvulus: history and results of treatment. Dis Colon Rectum 1982;25:494–501.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Ballantyne GH. Review of sigmoid volvulus: clinical patterns and pathogenesis. Dis Colon Rectum 1982;25:823–830.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Bruusgaard C. Volvulus of the sigmoid colon and its treatment. Surgery 1947;22:466–478.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Orchard JL, Mehta R, Khan AH. The use of colonoscopy in the treatment of colonic volvulus: three cases and review of the literature. Am J Gastroenterol 1984;77:543–545.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Anderson MJ, Okoke N, Spencer RJ. The colonoscope in cecal volvulus: report of three cases. Dis Colon Rectum 1978;21: 71–74.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Joergensen K, Kronborg O. The colonoscope in volvulus of the transverse colon. Dis Colon Rectum 1980;23:357–358.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Sanderson AJ, Elford J, Hayward SJ. Case report: volvulus of the splenic in a patient with systemic sclerosis. Br J Radiol 1995; 68:537–539.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Brother TE, Strodel WE, Eckhauser FE. Endoscopy in colonic volvulus. Ann Surg 1987;206:1–4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Ghazi A, Shinya H, Wolff WI. Treatment of volvulus of the colon by colonoscopy. Ann Surg 1976;183:263–265.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Stamos MJ, Hicks T. Nonoperative management of colonic volvulus. Semin Colon Rectal Surg 1999;10:145–148.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Tsushima GK, Fleshner PR. Colonic volvulus: imaging, diagnosis, and differential diagnosis. Semin Colon Rectal Surg 1999; 10:139–144.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Friedman JD, Odland MD, Bubrick MP. Experience with colonic volvulus. Dis Colon Rectum 1989;32:409–416.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Rabinovici R, Simansky DA, Kaplan O, et al. Cecal volvulus. Dis Colon Rectum 1990;33:765–769.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Margolin DA, Whitlow CB. The pathogenesis and etiology of colonic volvulus. Semin Colon Rectal Surg 1999;10:129–138.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Nivatvongs S, Bubrick MP. Volvulus of the colon. In: Nivatvongs S, Gordon P, eds. Principles and Practice of Surgery for the Colon, Rectum, and Anus. 2nd ed. St Louis, MO: Quality Medical Publishing; 1999:1046–1063.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Casola G, Withers C, van Sonnenberg E, et al. Percutaneous cecostomy for decompression of the massively distended cecum. Radiology 1986;158:793–794.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Patel D, Ansai E, Berman MD. Percutaneous decompression of cecal volvulus. Am J Radiol 1987;148:747.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Arigbabu AO, Badejo OA, Akinola DO. Colonoscopy in the emergency treatment of colonic volvulus in Nigeria. Dis Colon Rectum 1985;28:795–798.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Halverson AL, Orkin BA. Operative therapy for colonic volvulus. Semin Colon Rectal Surg 1999;10:149–153.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Singh JL, Wexner SD. Colonic volvulus: a treatment algorithm. Semin Colon Rectal Surg 1999;10:158–163.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Loke KL, Chan CS. Case report: transverse colon volvulus—unusual appearance on barium enema and review of the literature. Clin Radiol 1995;50:342–344.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Plorde JJ, Raker EJ. Transverse colon volvulus and associated Chilaiditi's syndrome: case report and literature review. Am J Gastroenterol 1996;91:2613–2616.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Eisenstat TE, Raneri AJ, Mason GR. Volvulus of the transverse colon. Am J Surg 1977;134:396–399.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Gumbs MA, Kashan F, Shumofsky F, Yerubandi SR. Volvulus of the transverse colon: report of cases and review of the literature. Dis Colon Rectum 1983;26:825–828.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Mortensen NJ. Volvulus of the transverse colon. Postgrad Med J 1979;55:54–57.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Anderson R, Lee D, Taylor RV, Ross HM. Volvulus of the transverse colon. Br J Surg 1981;68:179–181.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Cho YU, Sohn SK, Chi HS, Kim KW. Volvulus of the splenic flexure of the colon. Yonsei Med J 1994;35:97–100.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Hellinger MD, Ferrara A, Martini M, et al. Volvulus of the splenic flexure of the colon: report of two cases and review of the literature. Contemp Surg 1995;46:309–315.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Theuer C, Cheadle WG. Volvulus of the colon. Am Surg 1991; 57:145–150.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Bagarabi M, Conde AS, Longo R, Italiano A, et al. Sigmoid volvulus in West Africa: a prospective study on surgical treatments. Dis Colon Rectum 1993;36:186–190.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Khanna AK, Kumar P, Khanna R. Sigmoid volvulus. Study from a North Indian Hospital. Dis Colon Rectum 1999;42:1081–1084.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Gibney EJ. Volvulus of the sigmoid colon. Surg Obstet Gynecol 1991;173:243–255.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Mangiante EC, Croce MA, Fabian TC, et al. Sigmoid volvulus. A four decade experience. Am Surg 1989;55:41–44.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Grossman EM, Longo WE, Stratton MD, et al. Sigmoid volvulus in Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Centers. Dis Colon Rectum 2000;43:414–418.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Hiltunen KM, Syrja H, Matikainen M. Colonic volvulus. Diagnosis and results of treatment in 82 patients. Eur J Surg 1992;158:607–611.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Ballantyne GH. Sigmoid volvulus: high mortality in county hospital patients. Dis Colon Rectum 1981;24:515–520.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Morrissey TB, Deitch EA. Recurrence of sigmoid volvulus after surgical intervention. Am Surg 1994;60:329–331.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Wertkin MG, Aufses AH Jr. Management of volvulus of the colon. Dis Colon Rectum 1978;21:40–45.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Kuzu MA, Aslar AK, Soran A, et al. Emergent resection for acute sigmoid volvulus. Results of 106 consecutive cases. Dis Colon Rectum 2002;45:1085–1090.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Naaeder SB, Archampong EQ. One‐stage resection of acute sigmoid volvulus. Br J Surg 1995;82:1635–1636.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Tiwary N, Prasad S. Mesocoloplasty for sigmoid volvulus: a preliminary report. Br J Surg 1976;63:961–962.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Chung YFA, Eu KW, Nyam DCNK, et al. Minimizing the recurrence after sigmoid volvulus. Br J Surg 1999;86:231–233.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Hines JR, Geurkink RE, Bass RT. Recurrence and mortality rates in sigmoid volvulus. Surg Obstet Gynecol 1967;124:567–570.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Chiulli RA, Swantkowski TM. Sigmoid volvulus treated with endoscopic sigmoidopexy. Gastrointest Endosc 1993;39: 194–196.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Pinedo G, Kirberg A. Percutaneous endoscopic sigmoidopexy in sigmoid volvulus with T‐fasteners. Report of two cases. Dis Colon Rectum 2001;44:1867–1870.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Bhatnagar BNS, Sharma CLN. Nonresective alternatives for the cure of nongangrenous sigmoid volvulus. Dis Colon Rectum 1998; 441:381–388.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Akgun Y. Mesosigmoidoplasty as a definitive operation in treatment of acute sigmoid volvulus. Dis Colon Rectum 1996; 39:579–581.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Subrahmanyam M. Mesosigmoidoplasty as a definitive operation for sigmoid volvulus. Br J Surg 1992;79:683–684.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Salim AS. Management of acute volvulus of the sigmoid colon: a new approach by percutaneous deflation and colopexy. World J Surg 1991;15:68–73.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Miller R, Roe AM, Eltringham WK, Espiner HJ. Laparoscopic fixation of sigmoid volvulus. Br J Surg 1992;79:435.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Caruso DM, Kassir AA, Robles RA, et al. Use of trephine stoma in sigmoid volvulus. Dis Colon Rectum 1996;39:1222–1226.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Chung CC, Kwok SPY, Leung KL, et al. laparoscopic‐assisted sigmoid colectomy for volvulus. Surg Laparosc Endosc 1997;7:423–425.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Chung RS. Colectomy for sigmoid volvulus. Dis Colon Rectum 1997;40:363–365.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Fleshman JL. Laparoscopic management of colonic volvulus. Semin Colon Rectal Surg 1999;10:154–157.

    Google Scholar 

  61. Gurel M, Alic B, Bac B, et al. Intraoperative colonic irrigation in the treatment of acute sigmoid volvulus. Br J Surg 1989;76: 957–958.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  62. Pahlman L, Enblad P, Rudberg C, Krog M. Volvulus of the colon. A review of 93 cases and current aspects of treatment. Acta Chir Scand 1989;155:53–56.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. Akgun Y. Management of ileosigmoid knotting. Br J Surg 1997; 84:672–673.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  64. Alver O, Durkaya OM, Mustafa T, et al. Ileosigmoid knotting in Turkey: review of 68 cases. Dis Colon Rectum 1993;36: 1139–1147.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  65. Gibney EJ, Mock CN. Ileosigmoid knotting. Dis Colon Rectum 1993;36:855–857.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  66. Raveenthiran V. The ileosigmoid knot: new observations and changing trends. Dis Colon Rectum 2001;44:1196–1200.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  67. Young WS, White A, Grave GF. The radiology of ileosigmoid knot. Clin Radiol 1978;29:211–216.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. Michael D. Hellinger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Randolph M. Steinhagen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Professor of Surgery, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Chairman, Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Mayo Clinic Foundation, Rochester, MN, USA

    Bruce G. Wolff MD, FASCRS (Senior Editors) (Senior Editors)

  2. Professor of Surgery, Chief, Section of Colorectal Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA

    James W. Fleshman MD, FASCRS (Senior Editors) (Senior Editors)

  3. Chairman, Department of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, LA, USA

    David E. Beck MD, FASCRS (Senior Editors) (Senior Editors)

  4. Professor of Surgery, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Consultant, Colon and Rectal Surgery, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation, Rochester, MN, USA

    John H. Pemberton MD, FASCRS (Senior Editors) (Senior Editors)

  5. Chief of Staff, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, FL, USA

    Steven D. Wexner MD, FASCRS (Senior Editors) (Senior Editors)

  6. Victor W. Fazio Chair of Colorectal Surgery, Department of Colorectal Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA

    James M. Church BSc, MBChB, MMed Sci, FASCRS (Associate Editors) (Associate Editors)

  7. Professor of Surgery, Chief, Section of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA

    Julio Garcia-Aguilar MD, PhD, FASCRS (Associate Editors) (Associate Editors)

  8. Department of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Lahey Clinic, Burlington, MA, USA

    Patricia L. Roberts MD, FASCRS (Associate Editors) (Associate Editors)

  9. Professor of Surgery, Head, Section of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA

    Theodore J. Saclarides MD, FASCRS (Associate Editors) (Associate Editors)

  10. Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of California, Irvine Medical Center, Orange, CA, USA

    Michael J. Stamos MD, FASCRS (Associate Editors) (Associate Editors)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2007 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

About this entry

Cite this entry

Hellinger, M.D., Steinhagen, R.M. (2007). Colonic Volvulus. In: Wolff, B.G., et al. The ASCRS Textbook of Colon and Rectal Surgery. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-36374-5_19

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-36374-5_19

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-387-24846-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-387-36374-5

  • eBook Packages: MedicineReference Module Medicine

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation