SIGMOID VOLVULUS

Course overview

SIGMOID VOLVULUS IS THE MOST COMMON TYPE OF COLONIC VOLVULUS AND OCCURS WHEN A PORTION OF THE INTESTINE TWISTS AROUND ITS BLOOD SUPPLY. IN SIGMOID VOLVULUS, THIS OCCURS AT THE BASE OF THE MESENTERY. IT MOST COMMONLY PRESENTS IN PATIENTS WHO ARE BEDBOUND AND HAVE A HISTORY OF CHRONIC CONSTIPATION. PATIENTS MAY DEMONSTRATE A LOSS OF APPETITE, DIMINISHED OR ABSENT BOWEL OUTPUT, AND WORSENING ABDOMINAL DISTENSION. THIS ACTIVITY OUTLINES THE EVALUATION AND TREATMENT OF SIGMOID VOLVULUS AND DESCRIBES THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN IMPROVING CARE FOR PATIENTS WITH THIS CONDITION.