Background: Sigmoid volvulus is a common cause of emergency surgical admission. Those patients are often treated conservatively with a high rate of recurrence. We wondered if a more aggressive management might be indicated.
Methods: We have reviewed data of patients diagnosed with acute sigmoid volvulus over a 2-year period. The primary endpoint was patient survival.
Results: We analysed 332 admissions of 78 patients. 39.7% underwent resection. Survival was 54.9 ± 8.8 months from the first hospitalization, irrespective of the treatment. Long-term survival was positively influenced by being female, having a low "social score", a younger age and surgery. Multivariate analysis showed that only being female and surgery were independently associated with better survival.
Conclusion: Early surgery may be the best approach in patients with recurrent sigmoid volvulus, as it ensures longer survival with a better quality of life, regardless of the patient's social and functional condition.
Keywords: Emergency colon resection; Frailty; Sigmoid volvulus.
© 2022. The Author(s).