Postcesarean small bowel volvulus - Case report and review of the literature

Volvulus is an uncommon cause of bowel obstruction during pregnancy. We pre sent an unusual case in which cesarean delivery at 26 weeks of gestation wa s complicated by volvulus of the small bowel 1 week following delivery. At laparotomy, detorsion of the loop of the terminal ileum sufficed, and bower resection was not required. We review the literature pertaining to volvulu s of the bower during pregnancy and discuss recent new diagnostic imaging m odalities for midgut volvulus, which may assist early noninvasive diagnosis of this condition. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.