A CASE OF CECAL VOLVULUS AND REVIEW OF 111 CASES IN JAPAN

A case of cecal volvulus complicated with diffuse peritonitis due to perforation was treated. One hundred eleven cases of cecal volvulus in the Japanese literature were reviewed.The patient was a 52-year-old female idiot who was confined to bed. She presented with abdominal distension and fever. Plain abdominal X-ray revealed free air. The patient was diagnosed as having difuse peritonitis due to gastrointestinal perforation. During surgery, the cecum was rotated 360 degrees clockwise but was not found to be necrotic. A pin-hole perforation was seen at the anterior wall of the cecum. An ileocecal resection was performed. The postoperative course was good and without complication. It is difficult to diagnose volvulus of the cecum before surgery because of the absence of specific symptoms and signs. Surgical treatment performed as soon as possible is most importatn for this disease. Wide ileocecal resection is the most suitable procedure to prevent recurrence.