From Endoscopic Detorsion to Sigmoid Colectomy—The Art of Managing Patients with Sigmoid Volvulus: A Survey of the Members of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons

Abstract

This study queried American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons members for management of sigmoid volvulus and aimed to determine whether surgeon experience impacts decision-making. American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons members received a 16-item survey in March, 2017. Items included endoscopic detorsion technique and colonic decompression, preoperative dietary considerations, surgical approach, and respondents’ demographics. Respondents were separated into low experience (LE; ≤10 years in practice) and high experience (HE; >10 years in practice). Of 1996 survey recipients, 10 per cent (197) responded; 124 were HE and 73 were LE. Most were fellowship-trained (93.8%) and primarily in colorectal surgery practice (74.6%), however only 27.4 per cent managed >20 sigmoid volvulus cases as attendings. Fifty-two per cent use rectal tubes for continued colonic decompression after successful endoscopic detorsion; 81.2 per cent would perform sigmoid colectomy on the index admission after successful detorsion, but within a variable timeframe (one to seven days postdetorsion) and with variable dietary restrictions in the interval period; 49.7 per cent would perform a laparoscopic colectomy and 68.3 per cent would perform a stapled colorectal anastomosis. LE surgeons reported a higher proportion of gastrointestinal-performed endoscopic detorsions (P = 0.015), were more likely allow regular diet in the interval period (P = 0.031), and were more inclined to use laparoscopy (P = 0.008), versus HE surgeons. There remains controversy among many of the components in the management of sigmoid volvulus after successful endoscopic detorsion.