Intestinal Volvulus at St Francis Hospital, Kampala

Abstract

A review of sixty patients with intestinal volvulus was undertaken at St Francis Hospital, Nsambya, Kampala. Forty three (71.7%) of the patients presented with sigmoid volvulus while 12 (20°0) had ileosigmoid knotting. There were 53 males and seven females. The ages of sigmoid volvulus patients ranged between 20- 87 years while for ileosigmoid knotting the range was 22-75 years with a mean of 41 years. The majority (53.5%) of the patients belonged to the Ganda tribe and were of low socialeconomic class. Resection and primary anastomosis was performed in 24 (560/0) of the 43 patients who presented with sigmoid volvulus. Two patients died following resection and primary anastomosis but both cases had presented with gangrenous bowel. Only one of the 12 patients with ileosigmoid knotting died. Resection and primary anastomosis is a generally safe procedure in the management of sigmoid volvulus. However, it should be avoided in cases of gangrenous sigmoid volvulus.