Evaluation of the efficacy of the endoscopic treatment in volvulus of the colon

Volvulus of the colon mainly affects the elderly and early surgery, with high morbidity and mortality, is often required. The efficacy of endoscopic devolvulization as an alternative is evaluated herein. From January 1993 to April 1999, 25 patients diagnosed with volvulus of the colon were retrospectively reviewed. Endoscopic devolvulization was not performed in one patient who showed signs of necrosis but was carried out in the remaining 24. The mean follow-up was 35.3 months. In all patients the procedure was initially effective. After the first attempt, 9 of the 24 patients (37%) relapsed, 4 out of 7 (57%) after a second attempt and 2 out of 2 (100%) after a third attempt. No morbidity or mortality was associated with the endoscopy. Six patients underwent surgery. Of these, none relapsed but two presented complications associated with the surgery. Mean hospital stay of the patients undergoing surgery was 30.8 days and that of those undergoing endoscopic devolvulization was 9.1 days. We conclude that endoscopic devolvulizatio is an effective therapeutic option when the mucosa is viable, with a high percentage of initial success, few complications inherent to the technique and with the possibility of carrying out a maximum of two attempts in cases of relapse. In the majority of patients, this technique is a valid alternative to urgent surgery, which has higher morbidity and mortality and longer mean hospital stay.