Colon volvulus in childhood: Case report

Abstract

A 12-year-old boy with mental retardation and epilepsy was admitted with a 2-day history of vomiting, abdominal pain, constipation and severe abdominal distension. Physical examination showed a marked abdominal distention and generalized tenderness. Plain X-rays of the abdomen showed a markedly dilated loop of large intestine with multiple air-fluid levels. Surgical exploration revealed presence of a 180° counterclockwise volvulus of the transverse colon. A 15-year-old boy was admitted with the history of abdominal pain, constipation and abdominal distension. Non-operative reduction was performed with decompression of rectum and all the symptoms disappeared. The patient was discharged from the hospital. He was admitted with the same complaints seven days later. Surgical exploration revealed presence of a 720° counterclockwise sigmoid volvulus. Large intestinal volvulus is a rare surgical problem in childhood and it may be due to congenital or acquired anatomical variations. In this report, two cases of colon volvulus in childhood were presented and etiology and management were discussed. © 2012 by Türkiye Klinikleri.