A rare case of necrotic sigmoid volvulus complicating the postpartum period

Sigmoid volvulus is a rare complication of pregnancy and the puerperium. We report a case of sigmoid volvulus complicating the postpartum period in a 35-year-old patient who presented on day 5 postoperative of a cesarean section performed in the EL HAROUCHI maternity at the Ibno Rochd university Hospital of Casablanca, in a table of occlusive syndrome. The diagnosis was made by an abdominopelvic CT. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a necrotic volvulus of the highly distended sigmoid colon. In our case, the sigmoid volvulus was probably precipitated by the rapid change in uterine size after delivery. Therefore, a surgical evaluation of an acute abdomen in the postpartum period is essential, because the delayed diagnosis and treatment can lead to significant maternal morbidity and mortality.