Sigmoid colon volvulus occurs with torsion of the sigmoid colon, leading to acute obstruction [1] . Twisting of the intestine on its vascular pedicle causes venous obstruction, followed by arterial compromise, then potentially causes necrosis in the intestinal wall by ischemia [2] [3] . Subsequently, a clinician must determine its management by performing an urgent operation, endoscopic decompression, or observation, immediately. Volvulus of the sigmoid colon occurs worldwide, but its incidence is markedly varied by geography. The so-called “volvulus belt” extends across the equator and southern hemisphere from Brazil to sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, India, and Russia. Risk factors of sigmoid colon volvulus include an older age and neurologic and psychiatric diseases [4] . When a patient presents with acute abdomen, intestinal perforation, or ischemic necrosis of the intestine, emergent surgery is required. Severe dehydrations with shock and metabolic acidosis may develop, which also require rapid surgical intervention. Otherwise, endoscopic decompression is suitable for patients without emergent signs who are in a good general condition. However, clinical management of sigmoid volvulus remains controversial, as the diagnosis of acute abdomen is still difficult.

Here, we analyzed our retrospective cases to elucidate the surrogate marker for necrotizing ischemia in sigmoid colon volvulus patients. Blood gas analyses and a white blood cell count were useful markers.

Nine sigmoid colon volvulus cases presenting at Dokkyo Medical University from January 2005 to November 2011 were retrospectively analyzed (men/women, 6/3; median age, 80 years (28 - 83)). First-time attacks were observed in 8 patients, whereas one patient experienced repeated attacks. Symptoms of the attacks were an abdominal colic pain and distension in all patients. Clinical parameters such as Base excess (BE), white blood cell counts (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were analyzed for prediction of bowel necrosis. No missing data were observed regarding these parameters. Receiving operator curves (ROC) for each parameter were created. The values of the area under the curve (AUC) were compared. Fisher exact test was performed for categorical analyses. Statistical analyses were performed by using R statistical software. Written informed consent was obtained from all patients.

Within the 9 patients, an emergent operation was performed in 8 patients, whereas elective surgery was performed in 1 patient. In the emergent cases, necrosis of the intestine was observed in 4 cases and was not observed in 4 cases. In necrosis cases, 4 patients underwent sigmoid colon resection. In viable intestinal wall cases, 3 patients received sigmoid colon resection, and 1 patient received sigmoidopexy. In the patient who received elective surgery, laparoscopic sigmoid colon resection was performed.

Here, two cases are presented. First, a 67-year-old man with Parkinson’s Disease was admitted to our hospital with increasing abdominal pain that started from 4 days ago. Laboratory findings showed metabolic acidosis, a normal white blood cell count, and high CRP values. Emergent colonoscopy showed blackened mucosa indicating intestinal necrosis. In an emergent operation, the necrotizing sigmoid colon was resected (Figure 1). Another case without intestinal necrosis was also presented. An 81-year-old man admitted to our hospital with abdominal pain that began 7 hours ago. Abdominal computed tomography showed torsion of the mesenteric vessels. Based on laparotomy results, sigmoid volvulus was the cause of obstruction; however, its color was maintained. Subsequently, repair of the rotation was performed (Figure 2). Laboratory findings indicated non-acidosis on blood gas analysis and a slightly elevated white blood cell count, but creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and LDH were not elevated.

From these experiences, we analyzed the factors that predict intestinal necrosis. For these purposes, laboratory parameters were extracted from medical records. Case series were summarized in Table 1. Next, we created a ROC for each parameter in emergent operation cases. The values of AUC were high in metabolic acidosis and white blood cell count (Figure 3). The values of AUC were low in CRP, AST, and LDH. For BE, the cut off value was determined as −2.4 mEq/L from the present ROC. Using this value, the cases were divided into two groups. Lower BE was significantly associated with bowel gangrene (p = 0.029). For the WBC count, the cut off value was determined as 8400/mm³ from the present ROC. A lower WBC count is significantly associated with bowel gangrene (p = 0.029). For CRP, the cut off value was determined as 2.67 mg/dL from the ROC of the present study. The association between CRP and bowel gangrene was not proved (Table 2).

M, male; F, female.

Patients with a long loop sigmoid colon and narrow base of the mesenteric attachment are more prone to sigmoid volvulus [5] . Once torsion of the sigmoid colon was occurred, spontaneous recovery was difficult. In the absence of clinical, laboratory, or radiological signs of bowel necrosis or perforation, colonoscopic volvulus de-rotation is recommended in all cases of acute colonic volvulus, followed by semi-elective single-stage colonic resection [6] . Emergent sigmoidoscopy was performed in 5 of our 8 emergent patients. Three patients not undergo sigmoidoscopy based on the clinicians’ decision. In 5 cases, the color of the mucosa changed. Usually, mucosa is weaker than muscular tissue in ischemia. It is difficult to distinguish intestinal necrosis or mucosal necrosis. Peritonitis and endotoxemia, which are caused by various reasons, including delayed diagnosis and treatment, intestinal obstruction, intestinal ischemia, necrosis, and hypovolemic shock, increase mortality and morbidity [7] [8] . Therefore, it is important to determine the markers for ischemia. Reperfusion of an ischemic or gangrenous large bowel can produce metabolic acidosis or bacterial translocation [9] [10] . Blood gas analysis is useful in abdominal emergencies because it is convenient. White blood cell count accounts for gangrenous necrosis. However, in this study, leukocytosis revealed that gangrene did not occur. Occasionally, severe sepsis presents a lower white blood cell count. Furthermore, Kasirajan et al. reported that intestinal gangrene pH and lactate are determinant on hospital stay and mortality [11] . Thus, a correct diagnosis for ischemia is necessary.

The other parameters were negative for predicting ischemia. In the patients with hepatic portal venous gas, AST, alanine aminotransferase, and LDH, all were significantly associated with bowel necrosis [12] . In animal experiments, creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) was more likely to be elevated during intestinal ischemia. Enzyme levels were not influenced by the extent and reversibility of the ischemic injury [13] .

Once decompressed by endoscopy, the recurrence rate of volvulus was high. Subsequently, elective surgery was recommended for sigmoid volvulus [14] . However, preoperative colonoscopic de-rotation is beneficial for patients with acute colonic volvulus [6] . Fecal and bacterial load of an unprepared left colon were believed to increase anastomotic dehiscence and mortality; therefore, colostomy and Hartmann’s procedure became popular. Primary anastomosis is reported to promote morbidity and mortality in gangrenous patients in African populations [15] . Sigmoidectomy with primary anastomosis is a good option for the definitive management of sigmoid volvulus. In this study, Hartmann’s operation was performed in 7 cases.

A limitation of this study is the small number of cases. However, in conclusion, in addition to the physiological findings, blood gas analysis and a white blood cell count are useful to detect ischemia due to sigmoid volvulus.

The authors would like to thank Innami H, Ohashi Y, and Yuzawa N, for their secretarial assistance.

Yamaguch, S., Shida, Y., Ihara, K., Ogata, H., Muroi, H., Yamaguchi, T., Nakajima, M., Sasaki, K., Tsuchioka, T. and Kato, H. (2018) Base Excess and White Blood Cell Counts Predict Bowel Gangrene in Japanese Sigmoid Colon Volvulus Patients. Open Journal of Gastroenterology, 8, 140-146. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojgas.2018.84015