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Management of colonic volvulus
1Division of Colorectal Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California.
Insights
Colonic volvulus, a leading cause of bowel obstruction, affects the colon, often the sigmoid and cecal regions. This review covers its history, risk factors, epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment options.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Colonic volvulus is a significant global cause of large bowel obstruction.
- It represents the third most common etiology of bowel obstruction worldwide, accounting for approximately 15% in the United States.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive review of colonic volvulus.
- To discuss its historical context, predisposing factors, epidemiology, diagnostic modalities, and therapeutic strategies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of historical and current medical texts.
- Synthesis of information regarding the pathophysiology and clinical presentation of colonic volvulus.
Main Results:
- Colonic volvulus has been recognized for centuries, with documented cases dating back to Hippocrates.
- The sigmoid and cecal colon are the most frequently affected sites.
- The article details diagnostic approaches and outlines diverse treatment options.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the history and predisposing factors is crucial for managing colonic volvulus.
- A thorough review of epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment ensures optimal patient care for this condition.
Abstract:
Colonic volvulus is a common cause of large bowel obstruction worldwide. It can affect all parts of the colon, but most commonly occurs in the sigmoid and cecal areas. This disease has been described for centuries, and was studied by Hippocrates himself. Currently, colonic volvulus is the third most common cause of large bowel obstruction worldwide, and is responsible for ∼15% of large bowel obstructions in the United States. This article will discuss the history of colonic volvulus, and the predisposing factors that lead to this disease. Moreover, the epidemiology and diagnosis of each type of colonic volvulus, along with the various treatment options will be reviewed.
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