Presentation of Small Bowel Volvulus in East Africa

Introduction: A benign gastrointestinal surgical condition involving torsion of part or all of a segment of small bowel on its mesenteric axis is small bowel volvulus (SBV). The clinical presentation is similar to acute mesenteric ischaemia and hence a preoperative clinical diagnosis is difficult to obtain. In developing countries, as a presenting surgical cause of small bowel obstruction it has contributed to a significant burden. The aim of this case report was to discuss a typical case of small bowel volvulus in a developing country and highlight the importance of resuscitation and early surgical intervention.

Presentation of case: A 35 year old lady admitted to hospital with a 3 day history of colicky central abdominal pain. She reported a long period of fasting and sudden ingestion of food. On physical examination her abdomen was moderately distended with minimal tenderness. Laboratory investigations were normal and a plain abdominal X-ray revealed features suggestive of small bowel obstruction. After resuscitation the patient was taken for a laparotomy where evidence of SBV was found. An omental band adhesion was divided, the volvulus untwisted and the small bowel was all viable. The patient made an uneventful postoperative recovery.

Discussion: The incidence of SBV is higher in Africa, Asia and the Middle East compared to the Western world. Secondary SBV is more commonly found in older age groups however primary SBV is more common in children. The most common complaints of SBV includes abdominal pain, abdominal distention and vomiting. The mortality rate due to SBV has been found to be decreasing with early diagnosis due to abdominal CT scanning. This reduction in mortality is due to a reduction in the incidence of gangrene of the SBV.

Conclusions: Due to the high mortality and variable presentation, surgeons must consider small bowel volvulus a probably diagnosis in a patient with abdominal pain and features of small bowel obstruction. Early surgical intervention is necessary to reduce the morbidity and mortality from SBV.