Cecal volvulus. Low mortality at a city hospital

The case records of 12 patients with cecal volvulus over a 20-year period were reviewed. The patients averaged 46.7 years old; 75 per cent were white and 67 per cent were male. Patients presented with signs and symptoms of intestinal obstruction. Pain and distention were present in more than half of the patients. X-rays assisted in making the diagnosis of cecal volvulus in only five of the patients. Diagnosis was made in the remainder at the time of surgical exploration. At operation, one cecum was necrotic and required resection. Five patients underwent cecostomy, two cecopexy, and four simple detorsion. Post-operatively, one patient developed a wound infection. There were no deaths. Follow-up for seven patients averaged 75 months each. One patient who had undergone simple detorsion developed another cecal volvulus. All who were contacted were alive and well. At St. Luke's Hospital, cecal volvulus generally occurs in middle-aged white males. Cecostomy or cecopexy adequately treats cecal volvulus when the cecum remains viable. This study demonstrates that prompt surgical intervention, before strangulation of the colon occurs, results in low mortality even in city hospital patients.