[Intestinal malrotations in the adult]

The paper reports a case of intestinal malrotation in an adult patient with an anomalous location in the left hypochondrium of the cecum and vermiform appendix. The patient underwent explorative laparotomy for peritonitis due to acute appendicitis. Following a review of the literature, the anomaly was classified in embryological terms as a union defect during the third developmental stage of the umbilical loop. Attention is focused on the importance of an exact knowledge of the embryology of intestinal rotation in order to avoid technical surgical errors. In conclusion, the value of giving the patient precise iconographic documents is stressed in order to inform the surgeon who may have to operate on the patient's abdomen in the future.