Abstract
Intestinal obstruction caused by sigmoid volvulus is extremely rare during pregnancy; only 73 cases have been reported worldwide. A case report of recurrent sigmoid volvulus in a 22-year-old pregnant Saudi female and a review of the literature are presented. Despite a previous sigmoidopexy in another institution, colonoscopic detortion and rectal tube decompression was successful until after delivery when sigmoid colectomy was performed. From this case, we propose a treatment option based on the absence or presence of peritonitis and gestational age is suggested. In the first trimester, nonoperative procedure using colonoscopic detorsion and rectal tube decompression is recommended until the second trimester when sigmoid colectomy is performed for recurrent cases. In the third trimester, the treatment is nonoperative until fetal maturity and delivery when sigmoid colectomy is performed. Sigmoid volvulus complicating pregnancy is an uncommon and potentially serious condition and should be recognized as a surgical emergency. Prompt surgical intervention is necessary to minimize maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality.
Similar content being viewed by others
REFERENCES
SA Lord C William WC Boswell (1996) ArticleTitleSigmoid volvulus in pregnancy Am Surg 62 380–2 Occurrence Handle8615567
BM Coughlan CO OHerlihy (1978) ArticleTitleAcute intestinal obstruction during pregnancy J R Coll Surg Edinb 23 175–7 Occurrence Handle671387
PW Perdue HW Johnson SuffixJr PW Stafford (1992) ArticleTitleIntestinal obstruction complicating pregnancy Am J Surg 164 384–8 Occurrence Handle1415949
GH Ballantyne MD Brandner RW Beart DM Ilstrup (1985) ArticleTitleVolvulus of the colon: incidence and mortality Ann Surg 202 83–92 Occurrence Handle4015215
ED Morris (1965) ArticleTitleIntestinal obstruction and pregnancy J Obstet Gynaecol Br Commonw 72 36–44 Occurrence Handle14257018
EJ Lazaro PB Das PV Abraham (1969) ArticleTitleVolvulus of the sigmoid colon complicating pregnancy Obstet Gynecol 33 553–7 Occurrence Handle5776110
S Wapnick F Mufundi L Musengesi (1975) ArticleTitleAetiological factors related to intestinal volvulus Cent Afr J Med 21 53–7 Occurrence Handle1125972
GA Holland (1978) ArticleTitleUnusual case of intestinal obstruction in late pregnancy Can Med Assoc J 118 1488–93 Occurrence Handle657046
P Keating DS Jackson (1985) ArticleTitleSigmoid volvulus in late pregnancy J R Army Med Corps 131 72–4 Occurrence Handle4045805
GJ Hofmeyer EW Sonnendecker (1985) ArticleTitleSigmoid volvulus in advanced pregnancy S Afr Med J 67 63–4 Occurrence Handle3966191
RL Agrawal MK Misra (1971) ArticleTitleVolvulus of the sigmoid colon Int Surg 55 49–56 Occurrence Handle5102520
JL Fraser LA Eckert (1983) ArticleTitleVolvulus complicating pregnancy Can Med Assoc J 128 1045–8 Occurrence Handle6839249
JC Allen (1990) ArticleTitleSigmoid volvulus in pregnancy J R Army Med Corps 136 55–6 Occurrence Handle2181117
FA Frizelle BG Wolff (1996) ArticleTitleColonic volvulus Adv Surg 29 131–9 Occurrence Handle8719999
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The author thanks Dr. Stanley Crankson, consultant pediatric surgeon, for assistance.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
About this article
Cite this article
Alshawi, J. Recurrent Sigmoid Volvulus in Pregnancy: Report of a Case and Review of the Literature. Dis Colon Rectum 48, 1811–1813 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10350-005-0118-5
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10350-005-0118-5