title: Cecal volvulus after twin gestation: laparoscopic approach.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Intestinal obstruction in pregnancy is not common. Colonic volvulus occurs in 24% of such cases. Due to the rare incidence and lack of imaging during pregnancy, correct diagnosis is often delayed.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present a case of a 33-year-old female with a twin pregnancy gestation, who presented with acute abdominal pain. Physical examination revealed a gravid uterus and tenderness in the lower abdominal quadrants. Due to intense uterine contractions, the patient was urgently submitted to cesarean delivery, giving birth to two healthy infants. Twelve hours after the cesarean section, right lower quadrant abdominal pain was persistently severe. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal dilatation were also present. Abdominal X-ray and CT scan showed bowel obstruction, possibly secondary to cecal volvulus. The patient was subjected to explorative laparoscopy, cecal volvulus detorsion, and laparoscopic appendectomy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on the fourth postoperative day.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cecal volvulus in pregnancy is a rare, difficult to diagnose, clinical entity. It is associated with high morbidity and mortality, both of mother and fetus, because of delayed diagnosis. A high index of clinical suspicion is required in pregnant or puerperant women with signs and symptoms of bowel obstruction and persistent pain at the right low abdominal quadrant. As long as diagnosis is timely set, laparoscopy is a safe and successful means of surgical treatment.
authors: Department of Surgery, Interbalkan European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece. dr.ckosmidis@gmail.com
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Kosmidis
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Efthimiadis
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Anthimidis
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Tavaniotou
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Vasiliadou
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Ioannidis
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Mekras
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Basdanis
mesh_terms: D002429:Cecal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D002585:Cesarean Section; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D045822:Intestinal Volvulus / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D010535:Laparoscopy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D059285:Pregnancy, Twin; D011859:Radiography