Abstract
BACKGROUND: The sigmoid colon in Africans is commonly affected by volvulus formation. Anatomical characteristics of this part of the colon could provide some of the contributory explanations for male gender predisposition. METHOD: Ninety five sigmoid colons (fifty male subjects) were harvested at autopsy. The following measurements were made: length of the sigmoid colon, length of the mesocolon root, height of the mesocolon. The sigmoid length. mesocolic root length ratio and sigmoid length: mesocolic height ratios were also calculated. All means and ratios were compared for gender using the Student t-test. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The mean sigmoid colon length was higher in males (36.9cm) than in females (32.6cm) (p=0.007). Most (41.7%) of the sigmoid colons measured 30-34.9cm long. Males had shorter mesocolon roots and longer mesocolon heights. CONCLUSION: The greater colon length and smaller mesocolic root lengths in males may be the anatomical basis for the higher incidence of sigmoid volvulus in males.
Highlights
The sigmoid colon is the commonest site for volvulus formation
The mean sigmoid colon length was higher in males (36.9cm) than in females (32.6cm) (p=0.007)
The greater colon length and smaller mesocolic root lengths in males may be the anatomical basis for the higher incidence of sigmoid volvulus in males
Summary
The sigmoid colon is the commonest site for volvulus formation. The incidence of sigmoid volvulus shows both gender and population disparities being more common in males and in several developing countries [1,2,3,4]. In Africa, epidemiological studies indicate a higher incidence of sigmoid volvulus in males than females with a male to female ratio ranging from 9:1 in South Africa [5,6] to 13.5:1 in Ethiopia [7]. The literature on the morphometry of the sigmoid colon among Africans is limited [8]. The sigmoid colon in Africans is commonly affected by volvulus formation. Anatomical characteristics of this part of the colon could provide some of the contributory explanations for male gender predisposition
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