Patience is key: Association of surgical timing with clinical outcomes in elderly patients with sigmoid volvulus

Abstract

BackgroundCurrent guidelines for sigmoid volvulus recommend endoscopy as a first line of treatment for decompression, followed by colectomy as early as possible. Timing of the latter varies greatly. This study compared early (≤2 days) versus delayed (>2 days) sigmoid colectomy. Methods2016–2019 NRD database was queried to identify patients aged ≥65 years admitted for sigmoid volvulus who underwent sequential endoscopic decompression and sigmoid colectomy. Outcomes included mortality, complications, hospital length of stay, readmissions, and hospital costs. Results842 patients were included, of which 409 (48.6 ​%) underwent delayed sigmoid colectomy. Delayed sigmoid colectomy was associated with reduced cardiac complications (1.1 ​% vs 0.0 ​%, p ​= ​0.045), reduced ostomy rate (38.3 ​% vs 29.4 ​%, p ​= ​0.013), an increased overall length of stay (12 days vs 8 days, p ​< ​0.001) and increased overall costs (27,764 dollar vs. 24,472 dollar, p ​< ​0.001). ConclusionIn geriatric patient with sigmoid volvulus, delayed surgical resection after decompression is associated with reduced cardiac complications and reduced ostomy rate, while increasing overall hospital length of stay and costs.