One stage emergency resection and primary anastomosis for sigmoid volvulus

To evaluate the safety of single stage resection and primary anastomosis (RPA) in cases of viable sigmoid volvulus, in terms of anastomotic healing and complications.

Observational study.

Surgical Unit, Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC), Postgraduate Medical Institute, Peshawar, from November 2006 to October 2008.

Study included all patients presented and admitted in Surgical Unit, HMC, with sigmoid volvulus during the above mentioned period. Resection and primary anastomosis was done without defunctioning stoma formation or on-table colonic lavage. Manual decompression was carried out pre-operatively. Patients excluded, had serious co-morbid conditions in whom colostomy was done instead of primary anastomosis. Patients were followed-up for one month after surgery.

A total of 30 patients were admitted during the study of 2 years duration, out of which there were 21 male and 09 female patients, with male to female ratio of 2.4:1. Only 1 patient had anastomotic leak while 4 patients had superficial wound infection. One patient died due to comorbid condition. Abdominal wound dehiscence or postoperative abdominal abscess was not observed in any case.

Single stage resection and primary anastomosis is a reliable current treatment modality for the emergency surgical management of sigmoid volvulus and has low morbidity and mortality. On-table colonic lavage and proximal defunctioning colostomies are unnecessary with this technique.