Abstract

Sigmoid volvulus occurs due to a torsion of the colonic mes¬enteric axis, it has a multifactorial and controversial etiology, and its pathophysiology is not yet clear. Presenting a clinical picture of non-specific onset and later signs and symptoms of intestinal occlusion, its diagnosis is established with computed tomography with a sensitivity and specificity greater than 90%. Management will depend on the clinical condition of the patient. Clinical case: A 29-year-old man with a history of Asperger syndrome. He referred 7 days prior to admission with dif¬fuse cramping pain, associated with abdominal distension and oral intolerance. He went to the hospital for evaluation where a computed tomography was performed with air-fluid levels, torsion of the inferior mesenteric artery with a whirl¬wind appearance. Exploratory laparotomy was performed, finding a dilated and volvulated sigmoid with perforation at the rectosigmoid junction. A sigmoidectomy with colorectal anastomosis was performed. On the fifth day, he presented data of inflammatory response with acute abdomen, enter¬ing exploratory laparotomy finding anastomosis dehiscence, Hartmann procedure was performed. The patient presented septic shock, died 24 hours after surgery. Discussion: The presentation of sigmoid volvulus generally occurs in people older than 70 years, few cases are described in young people and are related to intestinal dysmotility dis¬ease, the patient did not have predisposing factors, the diag¬nosis is established with characteristic images of the disease such as whirlwind image, surgical management is decided by performing resection with colorectal anastomosis. Conclusion: Intestinal occlusion due to sigmoid volvulus is an infrequent pathology in young people and with non-specific symptoms. When faced with a patient presenting evidence of intestinal occlusion, this should be appropriately addressed, especially in patients who have debuted with insidious and persistent symptoms of abdominal pain secondary to intestinal occlusion, whether they are young with or without risk factors.Keywords: Sigmoid volvulus; whirlwind sign; abdominal pain; intestinal obstruction.

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