title: Sigmoid volvulus: long-term surgical outcomes and review of the literature.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Little has been published regarding long-term surgical outcome after the initial management of acute sigmoid colon volvulus.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients undergoing primary resection and anastomosis (PRA) or Hartmann's procedure (HP) for sigmoid volvulus between September 1992 and August 2000 were reviewed. Eligible patients who had had the initial procedure at least 5 years previously were contacted and completed a questionnaire regarding recurrence, current symptoms and bowel habits.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data on 42 PRA patients and 36 HP patients were analysed. Follow-up (mean 7.2 years, range 5 - 11 years) was completed for 63 patients (37 PRA, 26 HP). Restoration of bowel continuity was successfully performed in 25 of 26 HP patients. No patient had megacolon. Constipation was reported by 83% of PRA and 65% of HP patients. Of these patients, 51% regularly used laxatives. No patient complained of incontinence, and no recurrences of sigmoid volvulus were recorded during the follow-up period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sigmoidectomy with primary anastomosis is a good option for the definitive management of sigmoid volvulus. Despite the high constipation rate, no recurrence occurred during long-term follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Ufuk, Ankara, Turkey. drsozdemir@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Ozedmir
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Suleyman
authors.forename: Aslar A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Kessaf
authors.forename: Kuzu M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Ayhan
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D045822:Intestinal Volvulus / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012810:Sigmoid Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome