Background/purpose: Obstructive symptoms in a patient post-Ladd procedure raise the question of recurrent volvulus. Our objective is to determine the incidence and the radiographical evaluation of recurrent volvulus and abdominal complications after a Ladd procedure.
Methods: One hundred ninety-five patients who underwent a Ladd procedure for malrotation for 10 years were retrieved from a database. Forty-eight patients were excluded (false-positive studies, heterotaxy, diaphragmatic hernia, abdominal wall defects). Of the remaining 147, 38 patients presented with abdominal symptoms. Surgical records and imaging were reviewed.
Results: Of 38 patients, 33 had imaging studies including abdominal radiographs (AXR) and/or upper gastrointestinal examinations. Of these 33 patients, 17 had normal or expected imaging findings on AXR and/or upper gastrointestinal. Of the 11 patients who had surgery, 8 had an AXR. Of these, only a single patient had a normal AXR. The most common post-Ladd complication found at reoperation was small bowel obstruction secondary to adhesions (5.4%). One patient (0.7%) had midgut volvulus.
Conclusion: Although recurrent volvulus is a feared postoperative Ladd complication, it rarely occurs. Adhesive small bowel obstruction is more common, and an AXR with clinical findings is sufficient for diagnosis.
Published by Elsevier Inc.