UMEM Educational Pearls

Title: Volvulus Quick Facts

Category: Gastrointestional

Keywords: Volvulus, Cause, (PubMed Search)

Posted: 11/17/2007 by Michael Bond, MD (Updated: 12/13/2024)
Click here to contact Michael Bond, MD

Volvulus Quick Facts

  • Volvulus causes 10-15% of large bowel obstructions and occurs most commonly in the elderly.
  • The most common type of volvulus is sigmoid volvulus.
  • Midgut volvulus is most common in the neonatal period.
  • Cecal volvulus:
    • Occurs in all ages, but most commonly in the 25- to 35-year-old age group
    • Associated with:
      • previous abdominal surgeries
      • young, healthy marathon runners.
  • Sigmoid volvulus most commonly occurs in two groups of individuals:
    • Inactive elderly persons with a history of severe chronic constipation
    • Patients with severe psychiatric or neurologic disease.