SMALL-BOWEL VOLVULUS AS SURGICAL RARITY O F THE ACUTE ABDOMEN - ANALYSIS OF 47 CASES

In North America and Europe small bowel volvulus is a sporadic form of mechanical intestinal obstruction. Diagnostic problems may occur. The clinical presentation is that of an acute abdomen. The cause of sympt oms may be due to narrowing of the bowel itself, or strangulation of t he blood supply, or both. The types (primary and secondary) and incide nce of small bowel volvulus are age-related and demonstrate astonishin g geographical differences. Goals for treatment of small bowel volvulu s should include physician awareness and accurate work-up of this unco mmon diagnosis.