How far has the pendulum swung in the surgical management of sigmoid volvulus? Experience from the KwaZulu-Natal Teaching Hospitals and review of the literature.

AIM: Sigmoid volvulus is common in sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of the study was to document the clinicopathological patterns of sigmoid volvulus in KwaZulu-Natal.

METHOD: Analysis was performed of prospectively collected data of patients presenting with sigmoid volvulus at the KwaZulu-Natal Teaching Hospitals from 2000 to 2009. Data collected included demographics, clinical presentation, operative findings, management and outcome.

RESULTS

There were 135 patients (122 male) of mean age 39.3 ± 17 years. Management was by emergency surgery (103), elective surgery (23), no surgery (9). The level of the twist was at the pelvic brim. Fifty-four patients had gangrenous bowel and 81 had viable bowel. Resection was accompanied by primary anastomosis (80) and Hartmann's procedure (46). Complication and mortality rates were 47% and 17% respectively. Mortality rates for emergency and elective surgery were 19% and 9% (P = 0.330), and those for primary anastomosis and Hartmann's procedure were 14% and 24% respectively (P = 0.305). Mortality rates for gangrenous and viable bowel were 21% and 15% respectively (P = 0.624). Twenty-eight (22%) patients required intensive care in the intensive care unit (ICU) with an ICU stay of 8.8 ± 8 days. Hospital stay was 10.5 ± 14.4 days.

CONCLUSION

The clinicopathological picture of sigmoid volvulus resembles that in the rest of Africa in that it affects predominantly young African males. The level of the twist is at the pelvic brim. The timing of surgery, the type of anastomosis and the viability of the bowel does not influence outcome.