Intestinal volvulus: aetiology, morbidity and mortality in Tunisian children

Intestinal volvulus (IV) can occur at various sites of the gastrointestinal tract. In Europe, IV in children is most frequently due to malrotation but in Asia Ascaris infestation is a common cause. This report reviews the experience with IV in children in Tunisia; analyzes the aetiologies as well as the clinical presentations and the benefits of the Ladd's procedure in the treatment of the IV.

The authors retrospectively reviewed the case records of all children with IV from January 2000 to December 2009 at the Tunis Children's Hospital.

There were 22 boys and nine girls with an age range of one day to four years. Twenty-five (80%) patients presented during the neonatal period. The most common presentation was bilious vomiting and dehydration. The aetiology was identified in all patients: Anomalies in rotation (n=22), omphalo-mesenteric duct (n=3), internal hernia (n=3), cystic lymphangioma (n=2), caocal volvulus (n=1). The bowel resection rate for gangrene was 16%. All patients with malrotation had Ladd's procedure performed. Five patients (19%) developed wound infections. One patient presented with adhesive small bowel obstruction. There were no recurrences following Ladd's procedure for malrotation. Two neonates (6%) died from overwhelming infections. Intestinal volvulus in our environment differs in aetiology from other reports. The resection rates are not similar, however.

Early diagnosis reduced the high morbidity and mortality in our study.