Background

The definition of gastric volvulus is basically an acquired rotation of the stomach by 180 degrees or more, resulting in a closed loop obstruction [1]. Mesentero-axial gastric volvulus (MAGV) is an uncommon subtype of gastric volvulus (GV) that can present as a surgical emergency due to life-threatening complications [2, 3]. However, reports of such cases in adult patients are very rare. Herein, we present an unusual case of idiopathic MAGV in an old woman, with a review of the literature.

Case presentation

An 84-year-old woman was referred to the emergency department for vomiting and abdominal pain. She had a history of similar symptoms and had been hospitalized. She was relieved with conservative treatment since a diagnosis could not be reached. She had abdominal distension, but no tenderness or muscular defenses. Her vital signs were stable. No abnormal values were found in the blood test findings.

Erect chest and abdomen X-ray demonstrated a double air-fluid level (Fig. 1). Abdominal computed tomography (CT) identified a MAGV with the pylorus located superior to the gastro-esophageal junction (Fig. 2a–d). This pathogenesis could be corrected endoscopically, and symptoms were relieved. We diagnosed her previous symptoms as being caused by MAGV and determined that surgery was necessary for her. Contrast-enhanced examination was performed before the elective surgery to confirm the presence of mesentero-axis dorsal 180-degree volvulus (Figs. 3 and 4) and demonstrated delayed passage of contrast through the gastroduodenal junction, which was located superior to the gastro-esophageal junction in keeping with an incomplete gastric outlet obstruction. The patient underwent laparoscopic surgery on a wait-and-watch basis. After releasing the torsion, the stomach returned to normal position. The gastric fornix was sutured to the left diaphragm and the gastric body and antrum were sutured to the abdominal wall using non-absorbable thread (Fig. 5). A postoperative contrast-enhanced examination showed that the stomach had returned to normal position and there was no stenosis (Fig. 6). The patient experienced no further episodes after surgery.

Fig. 1
figure 1

Erect chest and abdomen X-ray showed a double air-fluid level

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Fig. 2
figure 2

Abdominal computed tomography showed mesentero-axial gastric volvulus (MAGV) with markedly dilated stomach and stenosis of the duodenum

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Fig. 3
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Preoperative contrast studies were performed to confirm the presence of mesentero-axis dorsal 180-degree volvulus

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Fig. 4
figure 4

An intraoperative finding before the rotation of stomach to normal position

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Fig. 5
figure 5

The gastric fornix was sutured to the left diaphragm

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Fig. 6
figure 6

A postoperative contrast-enhanced examination showed that the stomach had returned to normal position and there was no stenosis

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Discussion

Gastric volvulus is a rare condition occurring in both adults [2, 3] and children [4]. Gastric volvulus is defined as pathological rotation of the stomach and is classified according to the axis of gastric rotation into mesentero-axial type (59%) (Fig. 7a) and organo-axial type (29%) (Fig. 7b), and a third complex type involving rotation of both axes (12%) has also been reported [5]. MAGV is less frequent than the organo-axial subtype [5, 6] and is generally unrelated to anatomic or structural defects, whereas the organic axial subtype is generally secondary to esophageal hiatus or paraesophageal hernia.

Fig. 7
figure 7

a Mesentero-axial GV refers to rotation of the stomach along the short axis. b Organo-axial GV refers to rotation along the longitudinal axis

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In this case, no clear underlying cause was identified. MAGV is a rotation of the stomach around its short axis that causes the anterior wall of the stomach to fold, bringing the pylorus and antrum into close proximity to the gastro-esophageal junction [2]. Fluoroscopy helps to confirm the position of the pylorus relative to the gastro-esophageal junction and the presence and extent of obstruction.

In this case, nasogastric decompression improved symptoms, but it was decided to perform a gastropexy to prevent recurrence. The goal of surgical intervention is to fix the stomach to repair the volvulus and reduce the chance of recurrence [7]. The preferred surgical procedure is anterior gastropexy, in which the greater curvature of the stomach is fixed to the anterior abdominal wall [8]. Historically, open surgery has been the procedure of choice, but recently there have been increasing reports of laparoscopic gastropexy [9]. Although there are no randomized controlled trials, observational studies support laparoscopic surgery because of its advantages in terms of shorter hospital stay and improved postoperative morbidity. One study reported recurrence rates of 42 vs. 15% for laparoscopic and open gastropexy, respectively [10]. In laparoscopic gastropexy surgery, there are reports of single-incision surgery in pediatric patients [3]. The reason for the high recurrence rate in the old literature may be that the laparoscopic technique was still immature. In this case, we chose laparoscopic surgery because we wanted to perform minimally invasive surgery on the elderly patient. To prevent recurrence, we sutured the stomach and abdominal wall with non-absorbable thread. She was discharged from the hospital without further complications and with a short postoperative hospital stay, despite her advanced age, by laparoscopic gastropexy surgery.

Conclusions

We present a rare case of adult MAGV presenting with incomplete obstruction. Understanding that the disease is due to this condition and that laparoscopic gastropexy is useful when gastric decompression is achieved.