Contributor: Aaron Lessen, MD

Educational Pearls:

• Sigmoid volvulus occurs when the sigmoid colon twists 180 to 360 degrees
• 10% of intestinal obstructions in the US; 50-70% of intestinal obstructions worldwide
• More common in elderly patients with chronic constipation
• Eventually may lead to bowel perforation, a surgical emergency
• Treatment is sigmoidoscopy or sigmoid colectomy

References

Lieske B, Antunes C. Sigmoid Volvulus. [Updated 2021 Aug 11]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441925/

Summarized by John Spartz, MS4 | Edited by Erik Verzemnieks, MD

The Emergency Medical Minute is excited to announce that we are now offering AMA PRA Category 1 credits™ via online course modules. To access these and for more information, visit our website at https://emergencymedicalminute.org/cme-courses/ and create an account.

Donate to EMM today!