Intestinal volvulus: an experience in a developing country.

Eighty-two children (47 boys and 35 girls) underwent surgery for a variety of causes resulting in volvulus. There were 20 neonates, 13 infants, 34 patients aged 1 to 5 years, and 15 children above 5 years of age. The majority (88%) of the patients were admitted in a state of shock and dehydration. Peritoneal signs were present in 74% of the patients. The resection rate was 61%. A high mortality rate of 38% was encountered, which was attributed to septicemia, shock, and multiorgan failure. The preventive health programs that are being actively implemented together with the improvements made in the transport and referral systems have fortunately resulted in much-improved survival rates in the recent few years.