Malrotation of the Gut in Adults: An Often Forgotten Entity

Malrotation of the gut is a common paediatric condition that usually presents in the first month of life. However, presentation in adults is rare, and as a diagnostic dilemma quite often surprises the surgeon intraoperatively. If this condition is not timely recognized, it may result in disastrous consequences, such as gangrene of the small gut. We present the case of a 21-year-old male who presented to the emergency room with recurrent episodes of colicky abdominal pain and bilious vomiting. Contrast-enhanced computerized tomography (CT) revealed malrotation of the gut. The patient was planned for Ladd’s procedure. Malrotation in adults may present in an acute way due to midgut volvulus or may have a chronic indolent course with recurrent vomiting and abdominal pain. In patients with acute obstruction, this differential should be kept in mind, especially if the patient has no previous abdominal surgery or evidence of tuberculosis. Contrast-enhanced CT is the investigation of choice and reveals typical findings, like whirlpool sign, corkscrew sign, or reversed relation of superior mesenteric artery and vein. The treatment is surgical as failure to do so may result in intestinal gangrene. The procedure of choice is Ladd’s procedure. Every patient, even if asymptomatic, warrants this procedure as it is impossible to predict the timing of catastrophic complications.