Small bowel volvulus (SBV) in Northcentral Ethiopia

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Surgical Emergency
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Small bowel volvulus (SBV) is a surgical condition involving intestinal torsion, posing a significant burden in developing countries.
• It is a common cause of small bowel obstruction, necessitating urgent surgical intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of small bowel volvulus in Northcentral Ethiopia.
• To understand the prevalence and patterns of SBV as a cause of bowel obstruction.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted at Debre Tabor General Hospital from 2016 to 2019.
• Medical records of 148 patients diagnosed with SBV were reviewed.
• Data analysis included descriptive statistics and cross-tabulation for risk factors.

Main Results:

• SBV accounted for 59% of small bowel obstructions, with an annual occurrence of 37 cases.
• The majority of patients were male (84.5%), with a mean age of 41.14 years.
• Abdominal pain (98%) and vomiting (91.2%) were the most common symptoms; morbidity was 5.4% and mortality was 3.4%.

Conclusions:

• Small bowel volvulus is a prevalent cause of small bowel obstruction in the region.
• Understanding the clinical and epidemiological profile is crucial for managing this surgical emergency.