Volvulus of the Sigmoid Colon—Management in the Surgery “A” Department of the Teaching Hospital of Point G

Abstract

Introduction: The volvulus of the sigmoid colon is the twist of the sigmoid handle on its mesocolic axis, achieving a low occlusion by strangulation. Methodology: The study was conducted in the surgery “A” department of the Teaching Hospital of Point G in Bamako. The study is retrospective and descriptive, over 5 years, ranging from January 2014 to December 2018. We conducted a comprehensive recruitment of all patients operated on for sigmoid volvulus during the study period. The only criterion for inclusion was patients operated on for volvulus of the sigmoid colon in the surgery “A” department of the Point G Hospital and the non-inclusion criteria were all patients operated on for other sigmoid pathologies without volvulation and patients operated on for other types of occlusions. Result: We conducted an exhaustive recruitment of 55 patients operated on for sigmoid volvulus during the study period. Sigmoid volvulus accounted for 13.75% of intestinal obstructions. The average age of patients was 48.013 ± 18.042 years with extremes of 24 years and 82 years. The age group 40 - 49 was the most represented at 21.8%. The sex ratio (M/F) was 8 in favour of male sex. The duration of the disease was less than 1-day in 50.94% of patients. There were two cases of ileo-sigmoid nodes. Immediate anastomosis resection was performed in 27 patients or 49.2% of cases. The time to restore continuity when specified was between 60 - 90 days and the median incision was the most common route of recovery at 80.8% of cases. The average length of hospitalization was 9 days with extremes of 2 days and 42 days. The morbidity rate was 7.3%. In our study we had 3 deaths or 5.5% of the cases. Conclusion: The volvulus of the sigmoid colon is the twist of the sigmoid handle on its mesocolic axis, achieving a low occlusion by strangulation. The volvulus of sigmoid is a serious surgical emergency that requires early diagnosis and management. In Mali, there is no validated consensus for the choice between immediate anastomosis resection if possible and multi-stage surgery. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the different surgical approaches carried out in the surgery “A” department of the Point G Hospital.