Revista Finlay (May 2023)
Cecum Volvulus. Presentation of a Case and Literature Review
Abstract
Volvulus is the abnormal torsion or rotation of a portion of the intestine on its mesentery, which causes occlusion of the lumen, obstruction, and vascular compromise. Cecum volvulus is a rare clinical condition and represents only between 2 and 3 % of cases of intestinal occlusion in adults. We present the case of a 56-year-old female patient with a history of high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus and chronic constipation, who attended the surgery ward at the Dr. Gustavo Aldereguía Lima University General Hospital in Cienfuegos because several days ago she had had intermittent abdominal pain, a feeling of fullness when eating and without expulsion of feces, on occasions she had had nausea and scarce vomiting with other food. The physical examination revealed abdominal asymmetry at the expense of the right hemiabdomen, which was painful, distended, and tympanic. The simple abdominal X-ray reported an image reminiscent of cecum volvulus. A right hemicolectomy was performed with an end-to-end ileotransversostomy in two suture planes. At present, the patient has been operated for 6 months with a favorable evolution. The diagnosis of this entity is made during laparotomy in a large number of cases, as a result of its multiple forms of presentation, which can range from acute abdominal pain to septic shock. The case is presented due to the infrequent nature of this entity.
