Surgical treatment of a sigmoid volvulus associated with megacolon: Reportof a case

Sigmoid volvulus occurring concomitantly with megacolon is an uncommon caus e of bowel obstruction, and various approaches to treatment have been propo sed. We report herein a case of sigmoid volvulus with megacolon that was su ccessfully treated by elective surgery following endoscopic reduction durin g the same hospital stay. A 70-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with abdominal pain, distension, and severe constipation. Physical examinat ion, plain abdominal X-ray, and barium enema confirmed a sigmoid volvulus a nd further examinations revealed concomitant megacolon. An elective sigmoid colectomy was performed following successful endoscopic decompression. The postoperative course was uneventful and there was no residual colonic dysm otility. Histologically, no aganglionic tissue was observed in the resected specimen.