Recurrent Sigmoid Volvulus after Sigmoidectomy: 3 Clinical Cases

Abstract

Introduction: Recurrent sigmoid volvulus is a medical and surgical emergency. It is the recurrence of a twisting of the sigmoid loop around its mesenteric axis initiating an occlusion by strangulation. The risk factors of colonic volvulus are: a dolichosigmoid, a chronic constipation, a tumor, …In Western countries, recurrences of sigmoid volvulus after surgery are rare and due to a non resection of a dolicho-megacolon. Most African studies do not report any recurrence of sigmoid volvulus after sigmoidectomy. This work aims to describe three original cases of recurrence of sigmoid volvulus after sigmoidectomy recorded at the University Hospital of Brazzaville and to analyze their causes and surgical management. Clinical Observation: We studied the cases of three male patients, whose average age was 73 years, each of them having a history of chronic constipation and sigmoidectomy for sigmoid volvulus with an average delay of recurrence of 5.3 years. They all underwent emergency laparotomy for acute intestinal obstruction on scarred abdomen. The surgery permitted to unfold a recurrent volvulus of the sigmoid associated with circumferential scar fibrosis on the volvulated sigmoid loop. A second colectomy was performed. The histological results of the surgical specimens were normal for two patients and revealed signs of tissue necrosis for the third patient. The postoperative outcome was without incident for two patients. The third patient died after developing a septic shock. Conclusion: Recurrent sigmoid volvulus after sigmoidectomy is rare. The etiological factors for our three patients were incomplete sigmoidectomy during the first operation and chronic constipation.