Midgut volvulus is an urgent disease often occurring in neonates. This study clarified the clinical features of midgut volvulus and evaluated predictors to avoid bowel resection.
This bi-center retrospective study enrolled 48 patients who underwent surgery for intestinal malrotation between 2010 and 2022. Patients’ background characteristics and preoperative imaging findings were reviewed.
Midgut volvulus was recognized in 32 patients (66.7%), and 6 (12.5%) underwent bowel resection. Based on a receiver operating curve analysis of bowel resection, the cut-off value of the body weight at birth and at operation were 1984 g [area under the curve (AUC) 0.75, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.52–0.99] and 2418 g (AUC 0.70, 95% CI 0.46–0.94), respectively. The cut-off value of intestinal torsion was 540° (AUC 0.76, 95% CI 0.57–0.95), and that of the time from the onset to the diagnosis was 12 h (AUC 0.85, 95% CI 0.72–0.98). For midgut volvulus with an intestinal torsion > 540°, the most sensitive preoperative imaging test was ultrasonography (75%) Patients with bloody stool tended to undergo bowel resection.
Patients with a low body weight and bloody stool should be confirmed to have whirlpool sign by ultrasonography and scheduled for surgery as soon as possible.
