The use of colonoscopy in the treatment of colonic volvulus: three cases and review of the literature.

Four to 10% of cases of large bowel obstruction are caused by volvulus. Nonoperative therapy is the preferred initial treatment of patients with colonic volvulus who do not have signs of bowel strangulation because of the high mortality associated with emergency surgery. We report our experience with three cases and review the literature on the use of the colonoscope to treat colonic volvulus.