Outcome and Complications of Rectal Tube Placement in Intestinal Obstruction Due to Sigmoid Volvulus

Background: The most common site of colon volvulus is in the sigmoid colon and then in the cecum and transverse colon. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of the rectal tube placement as an initial treatment for devaluation of sigmoid volvulus. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 60 patients with sigmoid volvulus admitted to the emergency department of Imam Reza and Sina Teaching Hospitals due to intestinal obstruction were undergone blind rectal tube placement. After discharge, patients were followed up in two 1 month and 6 months intervals, so the rate of recovery, relapse, or mortality of the patient (in case of the patient’s death) were investigated. Results: Of the 60 patients reported, 41 patients (68.3%) were male, 54 patients (90%) the operation was successful and the patient was devaluated, but in the remaining 6 patients (10%) the operation was not successful and the patient immediately underwent an operation. The number of attempts to devaluation of patients with the rectal tube was once in 50 patients (83.3%), twice in 2 cases (3.3%) and three times in 8 cases (13.3%). The rate of hospitalization after surgery (in patients who had undergone surgery) was 6.44 ± 0.9 days. The overall rate of hospitalization in patients with sigmoid volvulus with initial treatment by rectal tube placement to devaluation was 5.78 ± 0.96 day. Conclusion: We suggested that rectal tube placement is less costly and available procedure in the treatment of patients with sigmoid volvulus.