When the intestine turns or partially twists together with the mesentery around the axis, which is accompanied by a violation of blood flow, there is an acute intestinal obstruction, otherwise - volvulus. Symptoms of this condition, provided the bowel is rotated 180 degrees or more, can become life-threatening. Intestinal volvulus can occur in anyone, including young children as a result of defective peristalsis. The condition can lead to tissue necrosis, peritonitis, and even death.
Turn of the intestines: symptoms
The very first and most important symptom is cramping pain in the abdomen. Soon the temperature rises significantly, nausea and vomiting (sometimes with blood) appear. The second sign is gas and stool retention. These are general symptoms, but in general they depend on which bowel is twisted.
Turn of the intestines: causes
Sudden turns of the body, a sharp change in posture, severe constipation, mechanical damage to the peritoneum, excessive filling of the intestines with food can lead to this condition. Often volvulusoccurs in men over the age of forty, whose diet is dominated by solid roughage. In most cases, bowel torsion occurs at night. It depends to a large extent on the state of the mesentery - its perpendicular or narrow attachment, the development of scars, wrinkling contribute to volvulus, since in these cases the loops come together and lengthen part of the mesentery and intestine. In addition, an increase in intra-abdominal pressure due to physical activity, for example, when lifting weights, as well as an increase in peristalsis due to intestinal overflow with indigestible bulky food, can contribute to the development of acute obstruction in the intestines.
Small bowel volvulus
The most common, with the most severe symptoms. Suddenly, there is severe pain in the navel. There is a delay in bowel movements, gases, bloating, vomiting are observed. Intestinal volvulus, symptoms of which include low blood pressure, blanching of the skin, increased heart rate, can occur even when only one loop of the small intestine is twisted.
Volus of the sigmoid colon
In this case, the pathological condition is often preceded by chronic constipation. Symptoms appear violently: there is a sharp pain and tension in the abdomen, the passage of gases completely stops, there is no stool, bloating increases, breathing becomes difficult. After volvulus has occurred, general symptoms may be mild for some time, theythe intensity depends on the degree of bowel torsion.
Treatment
The condition requires prompt emergency intervention. In the case of volvulus of the sigmoid colon, you can try to eliminate it by using siphon enemas. If there is no result, laparoscopic (by puncture of the abdominal wall) or surgical (by incision of the abdominal wall) operation is indicated.
