RECURRENCE OF VOLVULUS AFTER SIGMOIDECTOMY

Three patients had recurrences of left-sided colonic volvulus after allegedly total resections of redundant sigmoid loops. All three patients had chronic, acquired megacolon. Other instances of late recurrence of volvulus after sigmoidectomy are documented in the literature. Sigmoidectomy may be an inadequate operation for sigmoid volvulus in younger patients and/or in patients with severe chronic megacolon. The decision to perform an interval operation and the selection of the type of operation must take this into account. © 1979 American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.