Cecal Volvulus in Elderly : A Case Report

Cecal volvulus is a surgical condition which attacks people at mid age and accounts rare cases of intestinal obstruction in adults. This was a 83 years old patient who had a history chronic obstructive pulmonary disease combined pneumonia and chronic respiratory failure. Cecal volvulus developed after the patient suffered from a condition of sepsis. Abdominal plain film showed a kidney- shape close-loop colonic air. Owing to the high mortality of cecal volvulus in the elderly, emergent surgical resection of the twisted cecum and colon was necessary. We did an emergent colectomy and end-to-side ileocecal anastomosis. The colon was not well prepared and minimal stump leakage developed. However, the patient was alive after the emergent surgery. Stump leakage recovery relied on nutritional support. Early diagnosis and surgical intervention with nutritional support was effective.