VOLVULUS OF THE TRANSVERSE COLON - REPORT OF CASE AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

A case of transverse colon volvulus is reported, bringing the total number of collected cases in the English language medical literature to 45. Although this type of volvulus is rare, a definite pattern can be appreciated. Patients tend to be young, female, and give a history of chronic or recurrent difficulty in having bowel movements. A triad of underlying factors predisposes to the development of the volvulus: a distal impediment (either organic or functional) to the evacuation of the bowel, a redundant bowel and mesocolon, and a fixed point around which the bowel can twist. The best treatment is resection with either anastomosis or exteriorization, depending on bowel viability. © 1979 American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.