Small-bowel volvulus during treatment for renal tumors

Intestinal obstruction as a result of postnephrectomy adhesions occurs in up to 7% of children treated for Wilms' tumor. The authors report two children who developed small-bowel volvulus during the treatment of their renal tumor. Both underwent urgent resection of their ischemic bowel with primary anastamosis and are long-term survivors. The risk of this complication may be increased in young children with bulky tumors who receive abdominal radiotherapy.