Volvulus of the small intestine in India

Abstract

Summary A series of fifty-four cases of small intestinal volvulus is presented. Small bowel volvulus accounted for 3.5 per cent of cases of all intestinal obstruction and 46.9 per cent of all cases of intestinal volvulus. It was more common than was volvulus of the sigmoid colon. The patient is usually an adult male who presents with small bowel obstruction. A correct preoperative diagnosis is rarely made. Thirty-eight patients (70.4 per cent) had primary volvulus and sixteen (29.6 per cent) had the secondary type. In eight cases gangrene was present. Mortality is the same whether the bowel is viable or nonviable. Although the exact cause of primary volvulus of the small bowel is not known, an attempt is made to highlight the causative factors.