PRIMARY OMENTAL TORSION IN CHILDREN

Primary torsion of the omentum is an unusual cause of an acute abdomen and commonly mimics acute appendicitis. The following report of four obese children is supportive of obesity as a predisposing factor. The paucity of gastrointestinal symptoms, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and the relatively long duration of symptoms, may increase the index of su spicion. In the majority of cases, the diagnosis is made intraoperativ ely by digital exploration through the muscle-splitting incision. The torsed omentum is easily delivered through the same incision, and exci sion results in complete recovery. Copyright (C) 1995 by W.B. Saunders Company