IDIOPATHIC CHRONIC GASTRIC VOLVULUS

Gastric volvulus usually occurs secondary to another condition such as hiatal hernia. We report a case of so-called 'idiopathic' gastric vol vulus where the only abnormality was laxity of the gastric attachments . Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was unhelpful in making the diagnos is, but a barium meal clearly demonstrated the abnormality. The patien t underwent a Polya gastrectomy with a retrocolic gastroenterostomy, w hich was thought to be the best method of ensuring gastric fixation.