The unusual volvulus : a five year retrospective analysis of nine cases

The ileosigmoid knot is a rare surgical emergency. It is an unusual type of bowel obstruction in which the ileum usually wraps around the base of the sigmoid colon and forms a pseudoknot. It is usually associated with difficult preoperative diagnosis and poor surgical outcome. To analyze the clinical presentations, operative findings, management, postoperative complications and outcome of patients with ileosigmoid knotting. A retrospective analysis of nine cases of ileosigmoid knotting over a 6-year period from July 2005 to May 2011. Ileosigmoid knotting was common in males in the fifth decade. Mean duration of symptoms prior to admission was 42.67 h. Both the ileum and the sigmoid colon were gangrenous in all the patients. Mortality was 22.22 %. The mean duration of hospital stay was 13.67 days. To conclude, ileosigmoid knotting, though a rare cause of intestinal obstruction, carries a significant risk of mortality. In our study, ileostomy along with colorectal anastomosis seemed to be a better and safer alternative than primary repair in the management of ileosigmoid knotting. Awareness of this condition among surgeons will help to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with this unusual form of intestinal obstruction.