Sigmoid Volvulus Necessitating Total Colectomy

Abstract

Sigmoid volvulus is a well-known cause of large bowel obstruction. Its management includes urgent endoscopic decompression or emergency laparotomy. The gangrenous sigmoid colon is resected with either end to end anastomosis or Hartmann’s procedure. Here we present a rare presentation of sigmoid volvulus causing gangrene of the whole colon. It was probably due to double closed loop obstruction caused distally by the volvulus itself and proximally by the competent ileo-caecal valve. It was managed by total colectomy with terminal ileostomy and Hartmann’s procedure. To our knowledge only one such case report has been published in the literature so for.