Colonic Obstruction Caused by Sigmoid Volvulus Combined with a Transomental Hernia: A Case Report

Received November 17, 2007, Accepted March 13, 2008 Correspondence to: Pyong Wha Choi, Department of Surgery, Inje University College of Medicine, Ilsan Paik Hospital, 2240, Daehwa-dong, Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang 411-706, Korea Tel: +82-31-910-7622, Fax: +82-31-910-7319 E-mail: [email protected] The case of sigmoid volvulus combined with a transomental hernia is reported. A 70-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with mild abdominal pain and distension. Although no signs of peritoneal irritation were apparent, a plain abdominal X-ray showed a markedly dilated loop of the sigmoid colon, and CT revealed a whirl pattern of the sigmoid mesentery. These findings suggested sigmoid volvulus. Colonoscopic reduction was attempted as an initial nonoperative treatment, and an urgent laparotomy was performed after the reduction failed. The sigmoid loop was herniated through the great omentum, with torsion in the clockwise direction. The colon was manually untwisted in the counter-clockwise direction, and the sigmoid loop was released by dividing the great omentum. During this onestage operation, intraoperative colonic irrigation, sigmoid resection, and primary anastomosis were performed. The postoperative course was uneventful. Although sigmoid volvulus combined with a transomental hernia is rare, urgent surgical intervention is essential on failure of endoscopic reduction. J Korean Soc Coloproctol 2008;24:214-218