Volvulus of Sigmoid Colon at Sikasso Hospital

The sigmoid volvulus is an acute strangulation of the colon by the twisting of the sigmoid loop around its mesenteric axis resulting in partial or complete obstruction of the colonic lumen. It is the most common intestinal volvulus and is an absolute medical and surgical emergency. Objectives: Determine the frequency of sigmoid colon volvulus, describe clinical and para-clinical signs, describe treatment, and determine morbidity and mortality. Methodology: This was a retrospective and prospective study performed in the General Surgery Department of Sikasso. This study concerned patients admitted and operated for sigmoid volvulus from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2017. Retrospective Phase: We have created survey cards to study the following parameters: 1) The age and the sex; 2) The clinical signs and associated defects; 3) The radiological examinations, endoscopic; 4) The established treatment whether medical, or surgical; 5) The evolution and the postoperative consequences; 6) The admission period. Prospective Phase: At the admission each patient to benefit: a complete interrogation, a complete physical examination, additional examinations including radio of the abdomen without preparation, the rate of hemoglobin and hematocrit, grouping/rhesus. Support: Our data were collected from medical records and operating records of patients in the department. Results: We collected 54 cases of sigmoid volvulus (the annual frequency was 13.5 cases for year), which accounted for 58.1% of colonic occlusions 19.6% of intestinal occlusions and 5.9% of operative operations in emergency. The average age was 47.13 with extremes of 18 and 102 years, The sex ratio is 4.40% in favor of men. Abdominal pain, vomiting, stopping of materials and gases were present in 32 (59.3%) patients. Von Wahl’s triad was present in 36 patients (66.7%), the rectal ampoule empty in 92.6%. On the X-ray of the abdomen without preparation, 70.37% of the image was recorded as a double leg. The sigmoid was necrotic in 37% of cases, and a sigmoid volvulus and necrotic hail in 7.4% of cases. We found a simple sigmoid volvulus in 61% of cases. We performed an immediate anastomosis resection in 63%, a Hartmann resection in 29.6%, an immediate anastomosis resection plus an ileostomy in 7.4%. Operative follow-up was simple in 85.2%, with a morbidity of 11.1%, and a mortality of 14.8%. Conclusion: Sigmoid volvulus is a serious surgical emergency requiring early diagnosis and management to improve prognosis. Pre-, postoperative and postoperative resuscitation associated with immediate anastomosis resection, or resection plus Hartmann, would reduce morbidity and mortality.