[Malrotation with or without volvulus].

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Surgery
• Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders
• Congenital Abnormalities

Background:

• Intestinal malrotation is a congenital anomaly resulting from incomplete embryonic rotation, leading to abnormal intestinal fixation and a narrow mesenteric base.
• Volvulus, a severe complication of malrotation, involves intestinal twisting, potentially causing irreversible necrosis and requiring urgent surgical intervention.

Observation:

• Three pediatric cases of malrotation are presented: a 2-year-old boy with recurrent vomiting, a 1-month-old female with acute crying and leg flexion, and a 5-year-old boy with hourly vomiting.
• These cases illustrate diverse clinical presentations of malrotation in children, ranging from subtle to acute symptoms.

Findings:

• Untreated intestinal malrotation poses significant risks, including the development of acute volvulus.
• Prompt diagnosis and surgical management are essential to avert catastrophic complications such as intestinal necrosis.

Implications:

• Highlighting the clinical spectrum of malrotation underscores the importance of timely diagnosis in pediatric patients presenting with gastrointestinal distress.
• Recommendations for managing suspected malrotation aim to guide clinicians toward early surgical correction, thereby preventing volvulus and improving patient prognosis.