Volvulus Surgery
Volvulus Surgery is done to correct the abnormal twisting of a part of the large or small intestine.
Some facts about Volvulus Surgery:
- An abnormal twisting of a part of the large or small intestine may lead to a bowel obstruction, which can cause severe complications.
- When part of the colon or intestine twists, it causes bowel obstructions that may cut off the blood supply to areas of the bowels.
- A volvulus is a medical emergency that needs surgical treatment as the parts of the bowels that are not receiving enough blood will start to die if left untreated.
- Usually, Volvulus of the small intestine occurs in infants and children due to malrotation.
- Usually it occurs due to another underlying condition or physical problem.
- Abdominal pain and tenderness, vomiting green bile, nausea, distended abdomen, bloody stool, constipation and shock are some of the symptoms of volvulus.
- Additional signs and symptoms such as sudden bouts of crying, drawing in legs as if in pain, lethargy, rapid heart rate and breathing can be seen in infants with volvulus.
Preparation for Volvulus Surgery:
- A physical examination will be done and the person will be asked about their medical history.
- Blood tests, tests to examine stool for blood, barium X-rays for the upper or lower abdominal tract, computed tomography (CT) scans to check the abdomen for abnormalities and flexible sigmoidoscopy may be done to diagnose Volvulus before the surgery.
Procedure for Volvulus Surgery:
- A prompt treatment is needed for a volvulus and usually it requires surgery.
- Doctor will make a small incision in the abdominal wall near the site of the twisted part of the intestine during surgery to correct a volvulus and untwist it.
- Blood flow will be restored to the areas affected by the volvulus by the doctor.
- The piece of the intestine will be removed by the doctor if parts of the intestine have been without blood for too long and a portion of the intestine has died.
- Sometimes, so much of the intestine may have to removed by a surgeon that it is impossible to reattach the ends to each other.
- The two ends of the intestines needs to be connected to openings in the abdominal wall known as stomas in this case.
- Stool will pass through these openings into a colostomy bag if a person requires a stoma, which may be permanent or temporary.
- The appendix may be removed by the surgeon if a person’s appendix is shifted to a different location during this procedure as appendicitis in the future can not be diagnosed if it were not in its proper place.
- A volvulus must be treated as soon as possible to reduce the risk of complications.
- A severe infection of the blood called sepsis, a malabsorption disorder called short bowel syndrome, which results from the lack of small intestine and infection of the abdomen, known as secondary peritonitis are the possible complications of a volvulus.
- A volvulus can also be life-threatening if not treated promptly.
- The outlook for volvulus differs and depends on the speed of treatment.
- Serious complication can be prevented by early diagnosis and treatment of volvulus.
