Acute gastric volvulus. A study of 25 cases

Abstract

Twenty-five patients with acute gastric volvulus were studied. The two types, organoaxial and mesenteroaxial, are compared with respect to clinical characteristics, diagnosis, pathogenesis and treatment. An understanding of the varied features, including both thoracic and abdominal manifestations, is essential to early recognition and prompt treatment. In addition to Borchardt's triad, this study suggests three important features: (1) minimal abdominal findings when the stomach is in the thorax; (2) a gas-filled viscus in the lower chest or upper abdomen shown by chest radiography (Figure 8), and (3) obstruction at the site of volvulus shown by emergency upper gastrointestinal series. The high incidence of strangulation (28 percent) in this series attests to the urgency of this condition and is a compelling reason for the elective repair of paraesophageal hiatal hernias whenever possible.