Unusual retention of two flatus tubes inserted for sigmoid volvulus.

1 of 2 DESCRIPTION A 87-year-old gentleman presented as an acute admission with abdominal distension and inability to open his bowels for the preceding 4 days. His co-morbidities included Down’s syndrome, moderate learning disabilities, osteoarthritis and hypertension. He was known to suffer from recurrent sigmoid volvulus which was extensively investigated. Colonoscopy did not reveal any intraluminal pathology and CT scan was unremarkable except for a large, fl oppy sigmoid colon. Due to his age and co-morbidities it was deemed that he would not be a candidate for sigmoid colectomy. On this admission abdominal radiograph confi rmed the presence of a sigmoid volvulus. Bloods including electrolytes were normal. A rectal tube was inserted to decompress the volvulus and connected to a catheter bag for drainage. Both fl atus and stool were seen to be passing into the bag during the procedure. When the patient was reviewed the following morning the catheter bag was Images In...