Factors affecting recurrence in sigmoid volvulus

Recurrence is a relatively common outcome following endoscopic decompression in sigmoid volvulus (SV). This study aims to evaluate the factors affecting recurrence in SV.

In 434 patients with SV treated between June 1986 and January 2022, probable recurrence-affecting factors including age, age of SV onset, gender, dietary habit, defecation habit, altitude of living area, and SV attack count were analyzed in prospectively collected data.

Of 434 patients, 111 (25.6%) had recurrent SV with mean 1.6 ± 2.3 of volvulus episodes (range: 1-21 attacks). SV recurrence demonstrated a significant linear increase with age (14.3%, 17.1%, 21.5%, and 29.9%, respectively, in young, middle aged, mature, and elderly patients, p < 0.001). Recurrent SV was also significantly higher in male gender (28.5% vs 12.7%, p = 0.004), high-fiber diet habit (32.9% vs 17.7%, p < 0.001), and living at high altitude (26.9% vs 12.5%, p = 0.047). Although SV recurrence was higher in patients with chronic constipation, the difference was not significant (36.7% vs. 20.3%, p = 0.594). When compared with that of the patients with mature onset or elderly onset patients, SV attack count was significantly higher in young-onset cases (1.3 ± 0.9 and 1.1 ± 0.3 vs 4.6 ± 6.9, p < 0.001).

Elderliness, early-onset, maleness, high-fiber diet habit, high altitude, and most likely chronic constipation may be the practical clinical parameters of recurrent SV. These parameters, as well as the presence of previous SV episode history, must be considered in the decision-making process in the elective treatment of SV.