Treating a Twisting Bowel Obstruction
Topic Overview
Doctors have several options for treating a
bowel obstruction
caused by twisting of the intestine (volvulus). The choice of procedure depends on the location of the obstruction.
If the obstruction is caused by a twisting of the
sigmoid
area of the large intestine, a doctor may try to straighten out the twisting segment with lighted instruments (such as a proctoscope or sigmoidoscope) or a
barium enema
. But surgery is sometimes needed to fix twisting of the intestine.
Surgery is recommended for twisting of the
cecum
of the large intestine. Doctors may try several treatments. The blocked section can be removed and the ends reattached. In another type of surgery, the cecum can be attached to the abdominal (belly) wall so that it won't twist (cecopexy). A third option is to place a tube into the cecum (cecostomy) through a small incision in the abdomen. This procedure often is done for people who are not strong enough to have the other surgeries.
Credits
Current as of: April 15, 2020
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Kenneth Bark, MD - General Surgery, Colon and Rectal Surgery
Current as of: April 15, 2020
Author:
Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine & Kenneth Bark, MD - General Surgery, Colon and Rectal Surgery