Volvulus Quick Facts

• Volvulus causes 10-15% of large bowel obstructions and occurs most commonly in the elderly.
• The most common type of volvulus is sigmoid volvulus.
• Midgut volvulus is most common in the neonatal period.
• Cecal volvulus:
  • Occurs in all ages, but most commonly in the 25- to 35-year-old age group
  • Associated with:
    • previous abdominal surgeries
    • young, healthy marathon runners.
• Sigmoid volvulus most commonly occurs in two groups of individuals:
  • Inactive elderly persons with a history of severe chronic constipation
  • Patients with severe psychiatric or neurologic disease.