The threatened stomach: management of the acute gastric volvulus

Acute presentation of gastric volvulus is a rare condition with a high mortality for acute ischaemia. This study was undertaken to investigate the acute management, diagnosis, and long-term outcomes of patients presenting with acute gastric volvulus.

Cases were reviewed retrospectively from 2004 to 2014. Patients presenting as an emergency admission with acute gastric volvulus were included.

Thirty-six patients were included, five of whom had previous surgery. The mean age was 71 years old. All patients presented with vomiting and chest/epigastric pain. CT was diagnostic in all 26 patients. Barium swallow was diagnostic in two/four patients. OGD was diagnostic in 9 of 20 patients. All patients had an NG tube placed, and eight patients were treated conservatively and made a full recovery. Twenty-nine patients proceeded to surgery. Nine had a laparoscopic repair with two open conversions. Four patients had gastric necrosis, and all had open surgery with resection. Three patients had a mediastinal perforation, and one patient required an additional thoracotomy. All patients with viable stomach had a hiatal repair (where appropriate), 11 had a gastropexy, and 11 had a fundoplication. Mortality for gastric necrosis/perforation was 30 %. Mean postoperative stay was 4 days for laparoscopic repair and 8 days for uncomplicated open surgery. Nine of twenty-nine had transient dysphagia postoperatively. Three of eight patients treated conservatively had an elective procedure subsequently.

Acute paraoesophageal hiatus hernia requires early resuscitation and diagnosis. CT should be favoured in assessment, and an NG tube placed promptly. A conservative management may be considered safely in stable patients. Surgical management should be prompt for unstable patients. Gastric ischaemia or perforation has a mortality of 30 %. Laparoscopic repair has a shorter postoperative stay, but has a higher recurrence rate. Surgery for patients without gastric ischaemia has good long-term outcomes with minimal morbidity.