Volvulus of the Sigmoїde Colon: Epidemiological Aspects and Management in the General Surgery Department of the Hôpital National Ignace Deen, CHU de Conaky (Guinea)

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to report our experience in the management of Volvulus of the sigmoїde colon in the general surgery department of the Ignace Deen National Hospital, CHU de Conaky, Guinea. Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective study, descriptive type, covering a 5-year period (January 2018 to December 2022), concerning the records of patients admitted and operated on for Volvulus of the sigmoїde colon at the general surgery department of the Ignace Deen National Hospital, Guinea. Results: We collected 72 cases representing 4% of digestive surgical emergencies (n=1800) and 25.35% of intestinal obstructions (n=284). The mean age was 49.4± 15.8 years (extremes: 18 and 74 years); we noted a male predominance (80.6%) with a sex ratio of 4.14. Merchants were predominant (34.7%). Abdominal pain was the main symptom in all patients. Ideal colostomy was performed in 84.7% of patients, followed by Hartmann colostomy (12.5%). Overall morbidity was 12.5%, with Surgical site infection was the only post-operative complication observed. Overall mortality was 2.8%. Average hospital stay was 11.5 ± 5.7 days. Conclusion: Volvulus of the sigmoїde colon is a common condition. Therapeutic methods are numerous, but ideal colectomy remains a procedure of choice in our context due to difficult socio-economic conditions.