Gut , 1960 , 1 , 106 . VOLVULUS OF THE CAECUM

Volvulus of the alimentary tract accounts for 10% of all intestinal obstructions. It occurs most frequently in the sigmoid colon, less so in the small intestine and caecum, and least of all in the transverse colon. Whereas volvulus of the sigmoid colon is a well-known and well-documented entity, volvulus of the caecum is considered a rarity, a review of the literature published in English showing that only about 400 cases have been reported since Rokitanski's first case in 1839. Despite this, the three cases reported here were all seen inside five months in a general hospital of moderate size. This report is presented with the idea that perhaps this condition is much commoner than the textbooks suggest, and, if it is kept in mind, pre-operative diagnosis is possible and appropriate treatment may be started at an earlier stage than it usually has been.