TREATMENT OF ACUTE SIGMOID VOLVULUS

Thirty-eight patients were treated for acute sigmoid volvulus in 9 yea rs. Non operative decompression treatment was performed in 7 patients, and 31 patients underwent exploratory laparatomy (25 for suspected bo wel necrosis and 6 for unsuccessful non operative treatment). Sigmoid resection and reanastomosis was performed in 5 of the 12 cases with ga ngrenous bowel and 10 of the 19 with viable bowel. There were no morta lity and no morbidity related to the anastomoses The results have show n that reanastomosis after sigmoid resection could be performed safely in selected cases of acute sigmoid volvulus even if there is bowel ga ngrene.