Intestinal obstruction in children due to isolated intestinal malrotation. Report of 11 cases

The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical significance of children presenting with malrotation to develop treatment recommendations. Records of children undergoing a Ladd procedure were identified in the pediatric patient database from 1 June 1996 to 31 March 2007. Patients with intestinal obstruction caused by isolated intestinal malrotation were included. The exclusion criteria were the association of predisposing factors (omphalocele, gastroschisis, diaphragmatic hernia). Patient characteristics, imaging investigations, operations performed, and morbidity were evaluated. Eleven children (7 boys and 4 girls) underwent a Ladd procedure at the median age of 14 days. Seven patients presented bilious vomiting, alimentary vomiting associated with weight loss (2 cases), and melena (1 patient) at admission. The upper gastrointestinal radiological investigations established the diagnosis of intestinal malrotation in 6 cases confirmed by ultrasonography in 3 cases. Isolated Doppler ultrasound investigation was sufficient in 4 cases before abdominal surgery. In 1 case, preoperative diagnosis of intestinal malrotation was not made. Intraoperative anomalies were midgut volvulus in 7 cases, Ladd bands in 3 patients, and malrotation with intestinal ischemia in 2 cases with spontaneous resolution of midgut volvulus. Incomplete intestinal malrotation (180 degrees) was found in 10 cases and a mobile cecum in 1. These findings provide support for performing early diagnosis of intestinal malrotation to prevent the rare but potentially devastating complications of this anomaly.