Volvulus is a blockage of the intestine caused by abnormal twisting. Sigmoid volvulus occurs when the sigmoid colon becomes twisted and is the most common form of volvulus. Cecal volvulus refers to torsion of the cecum and ascending colon. It is a less frequent form of volvulus. Volvulus is induced by the coiling of the intestine around itself and the mesentery. The mesentery is made up of soft tissue that is a double-folded peritoneum and connects the intestine to the dorsal abdominal wall. It is possible for the mesentery to twist enough to cut off blood flow to the affected area of ​​the intestine. This condition constitutes a medical emergency and is life-threatening due to damage to the area cut off from the blood supply and the possibility of tearing of the bowel wall ("Colorectal Surgery - Volvulus (Colon Torsion), n.d.) .Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Malrotation of the intestine can cause volvulus. Intestinal malrotation is also known as intestinal nonrotation or incomplete rotation and concerns any change in the rotation and fixation of the gastrointestinal tract during development (Bensard, 2017). Other medical conditions can cause volvuli, such as abdominal adhesions, an enlarged colon, or Hirschsprung disease; a disease of the large intestine that causes blockages or constipation. There are multiple symptoms that indicate volvulus, including abdominal cramps, signs of shock, bloody stools, vomiting, and the inability to pass gas. Medical professionals use various approaches to diagnose volvulus. These tests include x-rays, upper or lower gastrointestinal series, CT scans, and flexible sigmoidoscopy. Sigmoidoscopy is a routine test that is done to see the inside of the rectum and lower part of the colon and is performed using a camera attached to a flexible tube inserted into the anus. Treatment of volvulus depends on the severity of the condition. It is possible for a doctor to straighten the colon using the sigmoidoscope if it is not excessively twisted. If the colon is wrapped too tightly or if it is thought to be losing blood flow, immediate surgery is needed. “The surgery involves restoring the blood supply, if possible, to the affected part of the sigmoid colon. Sometimes the affected part of the colon must be removed and the healthy ends reattached, a procedure called bowel resection” (UCSF Center for Colorectal Surgery, n.d.). When volvulus is diagnosed and treated quickly, the outcome is usually positive. When cecopexy and bowel resection surgeries are necessary, the success rate is high and the chances of recurrence are low. When the sigmoidoscope is used to untangle the colon and relieve the condition, the problem is more likely to return. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Bowel obstruction is something I have understood and read about in the past. I now understand that the occurrence of this condition is quite rare in the United States. There are few statistics regarding volvulus because it is a relatively rare cause of bowel obstruction; causing less than ten percent of obstructions. The interesting fact is that the incidence of volvulus is much higher outside the United States. “In contrast, sigmoid volvulus is the underlying etiology in 50–80% of patients with intestinal obstruction in other parts of the world” (Hodin, 2016). The cause of the higher incidence rate in other parts of the world is not known with certainty. It is believed.