[Cecal volvulus: one case and literature review].

BACKGROUND

Cecal volvulus is a rare disease that causes intestinal obstruction. It has various congenital and acquired risk factors. It is frequently associated with abnormal cecal fixation, and it is caused by torsion of the cecum in one of its three axes. It is not different from other causes of intestinal obstruction, but a delay in its diagnosis can lead to ischemia, necrosis and colon perforation. Its management depends on the viability of the tissues, ranging from untwisting and cecopexy to hemicolectomy with or without anastomosis. We present a case of caecal volvulus (caecal bascule) and review the literature as well.

CLINICAL CASE

43-year-old female, who was admitted to an emergency department with data of intestinal obstruction. A simple tomography of the abdomen was performed, where a dilated colon and an image that resembles an inverted coffee bean were identified. An exploratory laparotomy was performed, identifying a bascule-type cecal volvulus, without vascular compromise. Devolvulation, decompression through appendectomy, and caecopexy were performed. After the surgical event, the patient recovered without incident and was discharged with adequate controls by external consultation.

CONCLUSIONS

Cecal volvulus is a cause of intestinal obstruction with a low incidence, which is why early recognition and treatment are key to avoiding the complications that its evolution entails. This type of disease should be among our differential diagnoses, since treatment is surgical and delay leads to a high mortality rate.