Acute volvulus of the right colon: a case report

Abstract

Acute volvulus of the right colon is an uncommon cause of intestinal obstruction and is rarely diagnosed correctly at the time of presentation. The aim of the study is to discuss the clinical features and management volvulus of right colon. We report a case in an 81-year-old man was referred from a primary care centre with a four-day history of abdominal pain, distension and vomiting. He had undergone left inguinal hernioraphy for incarseration before 5 days. An emergency laparotomy was performed. The caecum was grossly distended with several areas of gangrene, and lay in the left side of the abdomen in operation. Right colon had rotated in a counter-clockwise rotation. An extended right hemicolectomy was subsequently performed. The operative management of volvulus of the right colon remains controversial. A review of the literature, it appears that right hemicolectomy is the treatment of choice for volvulus of the right colon, as it avoids all risk of recurrence and mortality is lower than that obtained with conservative treatment.