VOLVULUS OF THE SIGMOID COLON AT BARAGWANATH-HOSPITAL

Fifty-six patients treated for sigmoid volvulus over a period of 5 yea rs are reviewed. The purpose of this study is to evaluate our manageme nt policy and to compare it with other studies, particularly from othe r parts of Africa. The patients were evaluated by retrospective alloca tion into one of three treatment modalities. Patients with clinical ev idence of ischaemia underwent a Hartmann's procedure. There was a 33% mortality rate in this group. In those patients who had sigmoidoscopic reduction, a second-stage sigmoidectomy and primary anastomosis were performed. The results in this group were excellent. In the group of p atients with failed sigmoidoscopic resection the majority underwent a Hartmann's procedure with a mortality rate of 15%.