Laparoscopic Diagnostic Finding in Atypical Intestinal Malrotation in Children with Equivocal Imaging Studies

BACKGROUND: Atypical presentation of intestinal malrotation provide a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma for the surgeon to answer the question is it wisdom to operate or not? Upper gastrointestinal (UGI) contrast study is essential for diagnosis; however, 'soft’ radiologic findings place the responsibility of excluding malrotation directly on the surgeon. Recently, minimally invasive surgical techniques would be able to accomplish the identical evaluation and treatment of this group of patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 40 patients (25 male, 15 female), age of 2-14 years, presented with symptoms of chronic abdominal pain, intermittent upper intestinal obstruction, recurrent bilious vomiting and failure to thrive. On clinical examination, none of the patients had signs of acute abdominal emergency. UGI contrast study was done and it was equivocal. All patients underwent laparoscopic evaluation. RESULTS: A total of 36 patients (90%) were found on laparoscopy to have a discrepant finding of chronic intestinal malrotation. With narrow mesenteric base which put them at significant risk of midgut volvulus. Two patients (5%) were found to have chronic appendicitis with extensive adhesion at the right iliac fossa, one patient (2.5%) has annular pancreas and one patient has negative laparoscopic exploration. Laparoscopic findings of chronic intestinal malrotation includes, huge dilated stomach and the first part of duodenum, ectopic site of caecum central in the abdomen or under the liver, medial and low position of duodenojejunal junction, congested mesenteric veins with lymphatic oedema, generalised mesenteric lymphadenopathy, reversed relation of superior mesenteric artery and vein, right-sided small bowel. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic diagnostic finding permits direct evaluation and treatment of undocumented malrotation in children, with equivocal UGI contrast study. Furthermore, laparoscopy provides an excellent opportunity to assess the base of the mesentery. Those children with a narrow base should undergo laparoscopic Ladd procedure to avoid catastrophic midgut volvulus.