title: [Volvulus of the colon. Apropos of 37 cases].
abstract: A retrospective study of 37 case reports of patients with volvulus of the colon was carried out to define diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. The group comprised 22 men and 15 women, mean age 69 +/- 4 years (range 26-88 years), the volvulus being located in the sigmoid colon (n = 23), ascending colon (n = 13) or transverse colon (n = 1). The diagnosis, suggested by the straight abdominal film in almost all cases, was confirmed by a barium enema in 70% of cases. Treatment was surgical in 30 patients (81%) including 12 as emergency operations. Mortality was 5.4% (2 cases), and morbidity high (43% including fatal complications) the majority of adverse reactions being respiratory. Volvulus of the ascending colon was treated by hemicolectomy in 9 cases with no mortality or relapse. In patients with sigmoid volvulus, a "medical" reduction was performed in 7 patients, with success in 5 cases, one recurrence and no mortality, ideal sigmoidectomies in 14 cases resulting in one recurrence and no mortality. Right hemicolectomy appears to be the technique of choice even for urgent cases, there being no contraindications to a one-stage re-establishment of continuity. Inversely, an urgent intervention should at all costs be avoided in cases of sigmoid volvulus, a "medical" reduction (radiology, intubation, endoscopy) allowing preparation of the patient for a deferred ideal sigmoidectomy. Obviously, failure to reduce the volvulus or signs of colon necrosis require urgent surgery and raise the problem of whether or not to re-establish colon continuity.
authors.affiliation: Service de Chirurgie Générale A, C.H.R. de Rennes. Hôpital Sud.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kunin
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Letoquart
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: La Gamma
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mambrini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003082:Colectomy; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D004733:Enema; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012810:Sigmoid Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*
vernacular_title: Les volvulus du côlon. A propos de 37 cas.