Cecal bascule as a cause of postoperative nausea and abdominal pain

Abstract

Cecal bascule is a unique form of large bowel volvulus in which the cecum folds anterior to the ascending colon and generates a flap valve which impairs cecal emptying and results in cecal dilation [1]. Presenting symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, distension, and constipation. We report a case of a 74-year-old male who developed abdominal pain and nausea after a coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Imaging demonstrated an enlarged cecum measuring up to 17.7 cm as well as upstream small bowel dilation. The patient underwent nasogastric tube and endoscopic decompression, relieving his cecal dilation and symptoms. Keywords: Cecal basule, Cecal volvulus