Recurrent small bowel volvulus in the newborn infant

Abstract

T H I s paper presents a brief review of the experience with volvulus of the small bowel in children admitted to the St. Louis Children's Hospital from 1935 through 1956, a report of a recent case, and the use of an intraluminal intestinal splint in complicated abdominal surgery in the newborn. In the period covered by this study there were 21 cases of volvulus of the small intestine (Fig. 1). Of the 21 cases, only 3 (Table II) had associated malrotation of the colon with or without duodenal obstruction. There has been a tendency in the literature to associate volvulus of the small intestine in infants with maIrotation of the colon; this is not correct. For although malrotation can occur with or without duodenal obstruction, all cases of volvulus resulting in obstruction of the small intestine are not associated with malrotation of the colon. Sawyer and Spencer 1 reported 18 cases of volvulus; in 10 realrotation was not co-existent. Moretz and Morton 2 reported 36 cases of volvulus without malrotation of the colon. Marrow and Judy a reported 8 cases without duodenal obstruction. Volvulus of the small intestine is presum-