title: Clinical Characteristics of Torsion of the Omentum.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this paper is to describe clinical aspects of the torsion of the omentum.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this observational, retrospective study, the study group consisted of patients surgically managed for torsion of the omentum, between 1998 and 2008, in a second level medical facility in Mexico. Variables in the study included age, sex, signs and symptoms, body mass index (BMI), treatment and evolution time. Descriptive statistical analysis was employed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eleven patients were confirmed torsion of omentum, 7 (63.63%) women and 4 (36.36%) men, median age 33 (20 to 58) years, BMI > 25.0 in 9 (81.81%), average evolution 6.54, SD 3.47 days. All presented with abdominal pain, 6 (54.54%) with abdominal distension, 4 (36.36%) with ambulatory difficulty, 3 (27.27%) with malaise, and 5 (45.45%) with previous surgery. In all cases diagnosis was made by means of laparotomy, treatment was the resection of the affected segment, and there were no further complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Torsion of the omentum resembles acute appendicitis; abdominal pain and abdominal distension are the most common symptoms. It is often discovered during surgery and it is treated surgically by removal of the affected segment of the omentum.
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterologist and General Surgeon, at Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social in Puebla, Mexico; Research Department, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Puebla and Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Mexico.
authors.forename: Alvaro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Montiel-Jarquin
authors.affiliation: Research Department, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Puebla and Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Mexico.
authors.forename: Aurelio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lopez-Colombo
authors.affiliation: Research Department, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Puebla and Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Mexico.
authors.forename: Arnulfo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nava
authors.affiliation: Research Department, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Puebla and Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Mexico.
authors.forename: Rayo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Juarez-Santiesteban
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterologist and General Surgeon, at Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social in Puebla, Mexico.
authors.forename: Hugo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Leyva-Trejo
authors.affiliation: Research Department, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Puebla and Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Mexico.
authors.forename: Alfonso
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zamora-Ustaran
authors.affiliation: Research Department, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Puebla and Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Mexico.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: García-Carrasco
authors.affiliation: Research Department, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Puebla and Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Mexico.
authors.forename: Margarita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Munoz-Guarneros
keywords: Clinical characteristics; Retrospective study; Torsion of the greater Omentum