[Torsion of the colonic epiploic appendages]

Operations were carried out on 21 patients with torsion of epiploic appendages of the colon (sigmoid 19, ascending 1, hepatic flexure 1). This pathologic condition has no specific manifestations and occurs under the mask of other emergencies. The suggested symptom of "pain displacement" in combination with other signs allowed the correct diagnosis to be established before the operation in two thirds of patients. Patients with torsion of epiploic appendages must be subjected to an emergency operation for removal of the necrotic appendage by ligation of its vascular pedicle and its peritonization with seromuscular sutures.