Volvulus of the sigmoid colon in Delhi, India

The cases of 44 patients who had 49 episodes of volvulus of the sigmoid colon have been reviewed. Volvulus of the sigmoid accounted for 3.2 per cent of causes of intestinal obstruction. The mortality rate was 36.7 per cent and was directly proportional to the duration of symptoms. Merits and demerits of various methods of management are discussed. Primary resection with end-to-end anastomosis is recommended as the procedure of choice, especially when the colon is viable. The mortality rate rises steeply in the presence of gangrene of the sigmoid colon, irrespective of the surgical procedure used.