LAPAROSCOPY-ASSISTED SIGMOID COLECTOMY FOR VOLVULUS

We report on five male patients with sigmoid volvulus treated by lapar oscopy-assisted sigmoid colectomy. Intraoperative colonic irrigation w as used in two patients prior to resection and primary anastomosis. An intracorporeal technique of bowel anastomosis was used that allowed s maller skin incisions as compared with the extracorporeal technique. A ll five patients recovered uneventfully, and most were discharged with in 1 week after the operation. There was no recurrence at the conclusi on of the follow-up. Laparoscopy-assisted sigmoid colectomy may prove to be the procedure of choice in patients with sigmoid volvulus.