cecal volvulus in pregnancy case report and review of literature

Abstract

We report a 23 year old woman at 24 weeks of gestation with known bulimia and gastritis who was admitted to the hospital with acute abdominal pain. Laparotomy confirmed the clinical diagnosis of cecal volvulus and a right hemicolectomy was performed.

Cecal volvulus after twin gestation: laparoscopic approach

“…The operative treatment of nongangrenous cecal volvulus is controversial. Right hemicolectomy, cecopexy, tube cecostomy, and simple detorsion may be used [6,10]. In our case, there were no intraoperative signs of ischemia or gangrene of the cecum.…”

“…Despite the high sensitivity of this imaging modality, it is not used consistently, because of the possible side effects on the fetus and the patient's reluctance. Still, the harmful doses of radiation on the fetus are usually 100 mGy or higher, much more than the doses given during abdominal X-rays, which are 1.4 mGy [10]. Past surveys had reported a slight correlation between childhood malignancy and radiation exposure (one additional cancer death per 1,700 exposures).…”

“…Plain abdominal X-rays are the most sensitive means of imaging cecal volvulus [8]. The characteristic ''coffee bean'' shape in the left upper quadrant is associated with cecal volvulus in 95% of cases [10]. Despite the high sensitivity of this imaging modality, it is not used consistently, because of the possible side effects on the fetus and the patient's reluctance.…”

Caecal bascule: a rare complication following emergency caesarean section

“…Although there is an association between caecal volvulus and pregnancy (incidence 1 in 100 000) (4,5), such an association between the caecal bascule type and pregnancy has not been documented. It remains unclear whether pregnancy is an aetiological factor in the development of caecal bascule.…”

“…(3) The occurrence of intestinal volvulus in pregnancy is rare. (4) We report a case of a forty-two year old female who developed a caecal bascule post emergency caesarean section. To our knowledge this is the first reported case of this kind.…”