Abnormal twisting of the intestine causing obstruction.
[New Latin, from Latin volvere, to turn. See volvox.]
volvulus
Dictionary:
vol·vu·lus (vŏl'vyə-ləs, vôl'-)  |
n.
Abnormal twisting of the intestine causing obstruction.
Abnormal twisting of the intestine causing obstruction.
| 5min Related Video: volvulus |
| Veterinary Dictionary: volvulus |
[L.] torsion of a loop of intestine, causing obstruction with or without compromising the blood supply to the part by strangulation.
- gastric v. — see gastric dilatation–volvulus.
- intestinal v. — a common finding in horses because of the weight of the contents, the power and the duration of the peristaltic movements, and the long mesentery of some parts of the intestines.
| Wikipedia: Volvulus |
| Volvulus | |
| Classification and external resources | |
| ICD-10 | K56.2 |
|---|---|
| ICD-9 | 537.3, 560.2 |
| DiseasesDB | 13996 |
| eMedicine | ped/2415 |
| MeSH | [1] |
A volvulus is a bowel obstruction[1] in which a loop of bowel has abnormally twisted on itself.[2]
Contents |
Types
- Volvulus Neonatorum
- Volvulus Small Intestine
- Volvulus Caecum
- Volvulus Sigmoid Colon
Causes
Midgut volvulus occurs in patients (usually in infants) that are predisposed because of congenital intestinal malrotation. Segmental volvulus occurs in patients of any age, usually with a predisposition because of abnormal intestinal contents (e.g. meconium ileus) or adhesions. Volvulus of the cecum, transverse colon, or sigmoid colon occurs, usually in adults, with only minor predisposing factors such as redundant (excess, inadequately supported) intestinal tissue and constipation.
Presentation
Regardless of cause, volvulus causes symptoms by two mechanisms.
- One is bowel obstruction, manifested as abdominal distension and vomiting.
- The other is ischemia (loss of blood flow) to the affected portion of intestine.
Volvulus causes severe pain and progressive injury to the intestinal wall, with accumulation of gas and fluid in the portion of the bowel obstructed.[2] Ultimately, this can result in necrosis of the affected intestinal wall, acidosis, and death. Acute volvulus therefore requires immediate surgical intervention to untwist the affected segment of bowel and possibly resect any unsalvageable portion.[2]
Volvulus occurs most frequently in middle-aged and elderly men.[2] Volvulus can also arise as a rare complication in persons with redundant colon, a normal anatomic variation resulting in extra colonic loops.[3]
Sigmoid volvulus is the most-common form of volvulus of the gastrointestinal tract[4] and is responsible for 8% of all intestinal obstructions.[citation needed] Sigmoid volvulus is particularly common in elderly persons and constipated patients. Patients experience abdominal pain, distension, and absolute constipation.
Associated conditions
The volvulus can also occur in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy due to the smooth muscle dysfunction.
Investigations
Treatment
- Laparotomy
- Untwisting
- Transduodenal band of ladd is divided
See also
References
- ^ volvulus at Dorland's Medical Dictionary
- ^ a b c d Wedding, Mary Ellen; Gylys, Barbara A. (2004). Medical Terminology Systems: A Body Systems Approach (Medical Terminology (W/CD & CD-ROM) (Davis)). Philadelphia, Pa: F. A. Davis Company. ISBN 0-8036-1249-4.
- ^ Mayo Clinic Staff (2006-10-13). "Redundant colon: A health concern?". Ask a Digestive System Specialist. MayoClinic.com. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/redundant-colon/AN00239/rss=1. Retrieved on 2007-06-11.
- ^ Turan M, Sen M, Karadayi K, et al. (January 2004). "Our sigmoid colon volvulus experience and benefits of colonoscope in detortion process". Rev Esp Enferm Dig 96 (1): 32–5. PMID 14971995. http://www.grupoaran.com/mrmUpdate/lecturaPDFfromXML.asp?IdArt=456022&TO=RVN&Eng=1.
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Copyrights:
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 | Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Veterinary Dictionary. Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary 3rd Edition. Copyright © 2007 by D.C. Blood, V.P. Studdert and C.C. Gay, Elsevier. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Volvulus". Read more |
