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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! |