Volvulus of the sigmoid colon.

Between 1983 and 1986, 18 patients with colonic volvulus (94.4% sigmoid, 5.6% caecal) were seen at Karadeniz Medical Faculty. There were 11 male and 7 female patients, with a mean age of 68 years. In 66.6% and 22.2% of patients respectively a palliative procedure or a Hartmann operation were performed. The recurrence rate in the palliative group was 30%. The mortality rate for all patients with volvulus was 16.8%. The palliative procedures were successful in patients in good general condition and without bowel necrosis, whereas the Hartmann operation gave successful results in patients with bowel necrosis.