Endoscopic reduction of a volvulus of the sigmoid colon in pregnancy: case report and a comprehensive review of the literature

Volvulus of the gastrointestinal tract

Volvulus describes the twisting of the intestine or colon around its mesentery. Intestinal obstruction and/or ischaemia are the most common complications of volvulus. Within the gastrointestinal tract, there is a preponderance towards colonic volvulus. The sigmoid is the most commonly affected segment, followed by the caecum, small intestine and stomach. Distinguishing between the differing anatomical locations of gastrointestinal volvulus can be challenging, but is important for the management and prognosis. This article focuses on the main anatomical sites of gastrointestinal volvulus encountered in clinical practice. The aetiology, presentation, radiological features and management options for each are discussed to highlight the key differences.

A Patient with Crohn's Disease Who Gave Birth Despite Sigmoid Volvulus, Venous Thrombosis, Nontraumatic Fracture of the Rib, and Sepsis during Pregnancy

The patient was a woman in her 40s who was diagnosed with Crohn's disease (CD) of the large and small intestines in 1996. In 2005, she was referred to our hospital for treatment. We treated her for 17 years with corticosteroids, biologics, immunosuppressive agents, 5-aminosalicylic acid, and nutrition care. However, her Crohn's Disease Activity Index remained between 200 and 250, indicating refractory CD. During her medical treatment, the patient also underwent 3 operations. One year ago, the patient became pregnant through in vitro fertilization. Even after pregnancy was confirmed, the patient continued her treatment for refractory CD with ustekinumab, granulocyte apheresis, and budesonide. Nonetheless, her CD was highly active during pregnancy, and she experienced various complications: sigmoid volvulus at gestational week 15, venous thrombosis at gestational week 17, nontraumatic rib fracture due to fetal movement at gestational week 32, and sepsis from central venous catheter infection at gestational week 37. At gestational week 38, the patient gave birth by emergency cesarian delivery. This paper reports details of the case in which delivery was achieved after various complications were overcome and discusses previous relevant reports.

Endoscopic Decompression of Recurrent Sigmoid Volvulus in Pregnancy

Sigmoid volvulus is a rare condition seen during pregnancy with high maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. We report a case of a young 26-year-old woman, primipara, in her third trimester who presented with recurrent sigmoid volvulus at both 30 and 32 weeks of gestation. She underwent successful repetitive endoscopic decompression on both admissions with uneventful recovery. Endoscopic evaluation is safe in pregnancy and uncomplicated volvulus. It allows for diagnostic confirmation and assessment of complications; and it has successful outcomes in the presence of a multidisciplinary team.

Atypical presentation of ileocecal volvulus in a postpartum woman: a case report

Volvulus appears with unusual symptoms in pregnancy and postpartum, and if the clinicians do not consider it, the patient becomes complicated quickly. It seems that volvulus may cause obstetrics complications such as preterm delivery.

Recurrent sigmoid volvulus: Cause of colon perforation, sepsis, and fetal death

Sigmoid volvulus is one of the most common reasons for intestinal obstruction. Recurrent sigmoid volvulus occurred in only a few cases. Torsion of the sigmoid colon around the mesenteric portion initiates ischemia, gangrene, and perforation. Here, we presented a case with recurrent sigmoid volvulus. A 19-year-old Syrian refugee has been admitted to emergency room during 30th gestation week with acute abdomen, constipation, and lack of gas passage. She had a medical history of rectosigmoidoscopy and detorsion of sigmoid volvulus 6 days ago. Her vital signs showed tachycardia, hypotension, and tachypne, and her body temperature was 35.6°C. Sonography revealed nonviable fetus. Emergency laparotomy has been performed. Sigmoid volvulus and contaminated intraperitoneal area with feces was evaluated. A cesarean section, total colectomy, and end-ileostomy have been performed. Patient stayed 3 days in intensive care unit and was discharged on the 17th day. Sigmoid volvulus is a real emergency. Delayed treatment of sigmoid volvulus is related to maternal and fetal mortality.

Sigmoid Volvulus in Pregnancy Assessed by Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography Scanning

Sigmoid volvulus requires urgent treatment, and it is particularly rare among pregnant women without a history of laparotomy. A delay in diagnosis may lead to serious consequences for the mother and fetus, and a rapid diagnosis and treatment in this setting is essential. The patient was a 19-year-old primiparous woman. She complained of repeated exacerbations and remissions of abrupt lower abdominal pain for the past 2 days and was transported to our hospital at 33 weeks of gestation. Ultrasonography revealed no placental thickening, and maternal bowel dilation was difficult to identify. Plain abdominal X-ray showed a dilated colon on the left side of the abdomen. Contrast-enhanced CT scan of the abdomen revealed a volvulus on the dorsal side of the uterus. The proximal end of the transverse to sigmoid colon was markedly dilated, and the distal end was collapsed. The elevated lactate level on blood gas analysis suggested intestinal ischemia. She was suspected of having a sigmoid volvulus at 33 weeks and 3 days of gestation. We decided to perform a cesarean section to secure the operative field for an intestinal resection following delivery. A male weighing 1840 g with Apgar scores 8/8 was delivered. The sigmoid colon was approximately 80 cm in length. A 360-degree clockwise rotation of was observed with a very distended but viable sigmoid loop. Following reduction of the volvulus, the sigmoid colon was fixed to the left side of the peritoneum. The mother had an uneventful postoperative course, and the infant was discharged without any sequelae. This case demonstrates two important lessons. First, sigmoid volvulus can occur in pregnant women even if they never had a laparotomy. Second, abdominal contrast-enhanced CT is useful for rapid diagnostic and treatment decisions relative to this pathology.

Vólvulo del ciego, una entidad infrecuente como causa de abdomen agudo en embarazadas: Reporte de caso clínico y revisión de la literatura

Introducción. El vólvulo cecal en el embarazo es una patología infrecuente a nivel mundial, con un espectro clínico variado y limitación en estudios diagnósticos, lo que puede resultar en un desenlace ominoso. Caso clínico. Se presenta el caso de una gestante en segundo trimestre del embarazo quien presenta abdomen agudo secundario a vólvulo cecal y sufrimiento fetal. La paciente fue llevada a cesárea de urgencia, donde además se practicó cecectomía y anastomosis íleo transversa, con mortalidad fetal. Discusión. El vólvulo cecal forma parte de los diagnósticos diferenciales en caso de abdomen agudo durante el embarazo. Tiene un pronóstico reservado, en donde pueden presentarse desenlaces maternos y perinatales adversos, con mortalidad maternofetal.

Recurrent Volvulus during Pregnancy: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Introduction

Sigmoid colon volvulus (SV) represents the most common etiology of antepartum gastrointestinal obstruction, with repetitive antepartum episodes rarely reported.

Case Presentation

A 25-year-old multiparous patient with history of SV at 26 weeks in her previous pregnancy presented with recurrent episodes of SV at 32 0/7, 32 4/7, 37 0/7, and 38 1/7 weeks successfully managed with colonoscopic decompression. Labor was successfully induced at 38 4/7 weeks, and she experienced two further episodes on postpartum days #1 and #32 also treated with colonoscopic decompression, followed by laparoscopic resection.

Conclusion

Successful treatment of antepartum SV with colonoscopic decompression does not preclude recurrence later in gestation and in future pregnancies.

Sigmoid volvulus in pregnancy: case report and review of literature

Sigmoid volvulus in pregnancy is a very rare condition. Despite this, clinicians should have a high index of suspicion of this condition if they encounter a pregnant woman with symptoms suggestive of bowel obstruction. Incorrect diagnosis may be catastrophic, resulting in major complications, including fetal and maternal death.

The role of sigmoidoscopy in thediagnosis and treatment of sigmoid volvulus

Sigmoid volvulus (SV) is a rare form of acute intestinal obstruction in which the sigmoid colon wraps around itself. The disease generally presents as a mechanical bowel obstruction with clinical features that are not pathognomonic. Similarly, X-ray films are not diagnostic in most cases. It is difficult to establish the correct preoperative diagnosis when CT and MRI are not used.

The principal strategy in the treatment of SV in uncomplicated patients is emergency endoscopic detorsion followed by elective surgery; emergent surgery is required in patients with bowel gangrene, bowel perforation, peritonitis, or unsuccessful endoscopic treatment.

In this review, we have discussed the role of sigmoidoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of SV. Additionally, we have retrospectively and prospectively evaluated our 49-year, 987-patient clinical experience, the largest single-center SV series ever reported.

Sigmoid volvulus during pregnancy: A rare non-obstetric complication. Report of a case and review of the literature

INTRODUCTION

Sigmoid volvulus is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction during pregnancy associated with high maternal and foetal mortality. Effective management represents a challenge due to delayed presentation, obstructive symptoms regarded as pregnancy-related and hesitation in using radiological evaluation.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

We report a case of a lady, pregnant for 26 weeks and with a 5 day history of abdominal pain and constipation. She underwent concomitant caesarean section and laparotomy for intestinal obstruction. Intra-operatively, the sigmoid colon was extensively dilated and gangrenous. The ischemic colon was resected and a Hartmann's procedure was performed. A preterm male child was delivered and admitted to neonatal intensive care. The post operative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged home on the 9th post-operative day. Six months later she underwent an uneventful reversal of the Hartmann's procedure.

DISCUSSION

Sigmoid volvulus is the most common cause of bowel obstruction during pregnancy, accounting for up to 44% of reported cases. We have reviewed the available literature on this topic and present another case managed at our institution.

CONCLUSION

Diagnosis of sigmoid volvulus in pregnancy is a challenge, but a delay in diagnosis increases the rates of feto-maternal mortality. A high incidence of clinical suspicion and timely surgical intervention are the key to a favourable outcome.

Pregnancy with sigmoid volvulus: A case report with literature review

Sigmoid volvulus refers to torsion of a segment of the alimentary tract, which often leads to bowel obstruction and ischemic changes. Sigmoid volvulus is an acute surgical emergency because delay in diagnosis and management can cause adverse maternal and fetal complications. Sigmoid volvulus typically presents with acute-on-chronic abdominal distension that may develop slowly over 3-4 days. An early and effective resuscitation with fluid replacement, electrolyte balance correction, prophylactic antibiotics and nasogastric decompression is necessary. The standard goals of treatment are to relieve the obstruction, avoid colonic ischemia, and prevent recurrence either by endoscopic decompression or resection with primary anastomosis. A pregnant woman with sigmoid volvulus at 34 weeks and 1 day of gestation presented to our hospital with abdominal pain, vomiting, and constipation. The patient was jointly surgically managed with laparotomy, cesarean section, and detorsion of the sigmoid volvulus, and was discharged in a healthy state on the 5^th postoperative day.