[Surgical significance of intestinal non-rotation in adults].

Intestinal non-rotation has been recognized as a cause of obstruction in neonates and children. It is very rarely seen in the adult and assumes surgical significance owing to the potential risk of midgut or ileocecal volvulus. However, it can also cause significant intermittent abdominal pain in the adult. We describe six personally observed patients with this malformation and analyze 38 case reports published in the English and German literature since 1923. We establish that in the acute symptomatic form only emergency laparotomy can provide the correct diagnosis and decrease the risk of bowel disturbance. In the chronic forms, barium studies of the whole intestinal tract reveal varying degrees of midgut malrotation and the non-rotation is confirmed in each case. Also in these forms, exploratory laparotomy with a consequent staging of the abdominal situs is to be recommended. In the operation described by Ladd the ascending colon is sutured at the colon descendens and sigmoideum. After this procedure the mesenterial pedicle is fixed and the risk of midgut torsion remains minimal. All reported cases after surgery are symptom-free.