Management of acute sigmoid volvulus: A Tunisian experience

Sigmoid volvulus is the most common type of volvulus. Its epidemiological features, as well as its management, differ between developed and developing countries. This work aims to analyze the epidemiological features thus allowing to compare them to the rest of the "volvulus belt'' and assess the surgical management of sigmoid volvulus in Tunisia.

This is a retrospective review of 64 patients with sigmoid volvulus treated in the General Surgery department of Jendouba Hospital. January 2005-December 2019.

64 patients were treated for acute sigmoid volvulus. The sex ratio male to female ratio was 5.4/1 with male predominance. 5.4:1 (54 males to 10 females). The mean age was 62 years. The classic triad of intestinal occlusion was reported in 56 patients. The mean duration of symptoms was 4.2 days. An accurate preoperative diagnosis was made in 58 cases. Forty patients had a viable bowel obstruction, and all of them had a resection and primary anastomosis. Sixteen patients had a gangrenous bowel obstruction, of which 6 patients had resection-primary anastomosis, and 10 had Hartmann's procedure. Out of the total five deaths reported, there were only two among patients who had resection-primary anastomosis for gangrenous bowel obstruction. The most common postoperative complication was wound infections in 5 cases. The median length of hospital stay following surgery was 8 days. No recurrences of volvulus after a median follow-up of 11 months.

Although Tunisia belongs to the volvulus belt, the epidemiologic features of sigmoid volvulus tend rather be similar to those of developed countries. The use of primary surgery, if no endoscopy is performed, is a good alternative. For patients who have contraindications for endoscopic treatment, surgical treatment is the only option.