A cruel twist: post-operative cecal volvulus

Cecal volvulus is an uncommon cause of intestinal obstruction, accounting for less than 1% of cases in Western countries. In the literature, it has been described as a complication following numerous common surgeries as well as a number of minimally invasive procedures. Presumably, it is more likely to occur following any surgical procedure which might require some degree of medial visceral rotation or disruption of the fusion plane between the cecum or ascending colon with the lateral peritoneum, providing sufficient mobility to allow for cecal volvulization to occur. In addition, cadaver and autopsy studies have also suggested that 10-20% of the population may have sufficient mobility of the colon to allow for volvulization. We present a review of the literature pertaining to the diagnosis and management of cecal volvulus as well as the case of J.R., a 78-year-old male with cecal volvulus six days following a right radical nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma.