Treatment:

Emergency surgery to repair the volvulus is necessary. An incision is made in the abdomen, the bowels are inspected, and the volvulus is reduced. This means that the bowels are untwisted and the blood supply restored.

If a small segment of bowel is necrotic (dead from lack of blood flow), it is removed and the ends of the bowels sewn back together, or used to form a colostomy or ileostomy (tube to the outside through which bowel contents can be removed -- the term depends on where the tube is formed). If the entire bowel is necrotic, the outlook is poor, and the situation may be fatal.

Expectations (prognosis):

Early recognition of the volvulus and prompt treatment generally results in a good outcome. If necrosis of the bowel occurs the prognosis is often poor, depending on how much bowel is necrotic.

Complications:

• Secondary peritonitis
• Short bowel syndrome (after removal of a large part of the small bowel)

Calling your health care provider:

This is an emergency condition! The symptoms of childhood volvulus develop rapidly and the child becomes severely ill.