Synchronous rectal prolapse and midgut volvulus presenting as complete small bowel gangrene

Abstract

<b>Introduction:</b> Adult midgut malrotation is very rare. The presentation in adults is mostly subtle; the diagnosis is often made on imaging. <br><b>Case report:</b> A 32-year-old man presented with a 3-day history of an irreducible painful mass protruding per rectum, followed by abdominal pain and constipation. The patient was febrile and toxic, with marked signs of peritonitis and complete fullthickness irreducible rectal prolapse. Abdominal radiographs showed multiple air-fluid levels. A diagnosis of irreducible rectal prolapse with intestinal obstruction was made. Laparotomy revealed complete small bowel gangrene, abnormal rotation of the small bowel 180° around the mesenteric root, hypermobile duodenojejunal flexure and ileocaecal junction and an abnormally mobile caecum lying in the central abdomen. Abnormal mobility of the sigmoid colon with a large mesocolon, and a large irreducible rectosigmoid intussusception, was also noted. Our patient is probably the first case in literature, which may prompt awareness of simultaneously-occurring disorders of fixation, and preventive steps.