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What is Cecal Volvulus?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Cecal volvulus is a serious medical issue involving the intestines where the cecum, the first portion of the large intestine, loops around itself and creates an obstruction. This condition can be very dangerous, and is treated with surgery to correct the twisting of the intestine and position the cecum so it cannot loop around itself again. A general surgeon may provide treatment, or the patient can see a gastroenterology specialist for the surgery.

This condition occurs when the cecum drifts out of position, instead of remaining anchored to the abdominal wall, and then wraps around itself. The obstructed cecum makes it impossible for material to drain from the small intestine into the large intestine. Over time, the tissue can die because the twisting cuts off the supply of oxygen and nutrients, and the patient can be at risk of a bowel rupture if the obstruction is left untreated, allowing the contents of the bowel to spill into the abdominal cavity.

Symptoms of cecal volvulus may include abdominal cramps and pain.
Symptoms of cecal volvulus may include abdominal cramps and pain.

Patients with cecal volvulus can experience symptoms like swelling of the abdomen, nausea, and cramping. A medical imaging study will show that a bowel obstruction is present and provide some information about its nature. A colonoscopy may be recommended to collect more information about the condition, and to correct it, in some cases. In other patients, a procedure where the abdomen is opened to reach the bowel will be needed.

An X-ray may be performed to diagnose cecal volvulus.
An X-ray may be performed to diagnose cecal volvulus.

During the surgery, the intestine will be gently untwisted and checked for signs of dead tissue and other complications. Once the surgeon is satisfied about the patient's bowel health, the bowel can be repositioned and the patient can be closed back up. Potential complications of cecal volvulus surgery include intestinal perforation and infection, both of which will be significantly less likely if the patient works with an experienced surgeon and receives surgery in a reputable facility.

Older adults are more susceptible to developing cecal volvulus.
Older adults are more susceptible to developing cecal volvulus.

Older adults tend to be most at risk for cecal volvulus. Some older adults experience irregular bowel function and symptoms like abdominal pain and tenderness on a regular basis, and may not identify the early warning signs of cecal volvulus. Generally, any interruption in normal bowel function is a cause for concern, even if other symptoms seem familiar or normal to the patient; if a patient is used to abdominal cramping but usually defecates once a day and then all of a sudden does not, for example, this is a sign that there could be a problem in the intestinal tract.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon994603

I practice martial arts twice a week and am a second degree black belt. I have a very strong core. But I fell victim to cecal volvulus! My surgeon said that there is nothing that causes it; it is just the way your intestines formed and did not attach properly in utero.

It is very a very strange thing!

lovealot

@live2shop - About your question relating to why some of the body parts around the abdomen seem to shift and drop down or protrude where they don't belong, my guess would be about the same as yours. It probably has something to do with age, just like everything else seems to sag when you get older.

Maybe the lack of good muscle tone is another reason. And possibly movement of body parts is more common in people who have had surgery to these parts. Anyone have other ideas?

live2shop

I hope that medical research is someday able to find out what causes body parts in the abdominal area, like the cecum to drop down from their place near the abdomen and become tangled causing an obstruction. Other body parts, such as the uterus and the bladder, get out of place and cause problems.

I don't know if it is just age or not keeping the abdominal area strong, or what.

If you have symptoms of pain in the abdomen or bowel problems, it's important to have the doctor check it out. Cecal volvulus can be a very dangerous condition.

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    • Symptoms of cecal volvulus may include abdominal cramps and pain.
      By: Grafvision
      Symptoms of cecal volvulus may include abdominal cramps and pain.
    • An X-ray may be performed to diagnose cecal volvulus.
      By: Ljupco Smokovski
      An X-ray may be performed to diagnose cecal volvulus.
    • Older adults are more susceptible to developing cecal volvulus.
      By: rainbow33
      Older adults are more susceptible to developing cecal volvulus.
    • Cecal volvulus is a serious medical condition affecting the intestines.
      By: CLIPAREA.com
      Cecal volvulus is a serious medical condition affecting the intestines.
    • In cecal volvulus, the intestine is twisted and requires surgery to be corrected.
      By: 7activestudio
      In cecal volvulus, the intestine is twisted and requires surgery to be corrected.