The relationship of the anatomical dimensions of the sigmoid colon with sigmoid volvulus

Aim: To investigate the role of the anatomical dimensions of the sigmoid colon in the development of sigmoid volvulus (SV). Materials and methods: The present prospective study was performed with 447 patients who underwent abdominal surgery. The length of the sigmoid colon (SCL), the height of the sigmoid mesentery (SMH), the width of the sigmoid mesentery (SMW), and the width of the base of the sigmoid mesentery (SBW) were measured in the operation. Additionally, SCL/SBW, SMH/SBW, and SMH/SMW rates were calculated. Results: The mean SCL, SMH, SMW, and SBW values were 43.7 +/- 8.9 cm, 19.3 +/- 4.6 cm, 15.6 +/- 2.8 cm, and 8.6 +/- 1.5 cm, respectively, while the mean SCL/SBW, SMH/SBW, and SMH/SMW rates were 5.3 +/- 1.8, 2.3 +/- 0.9, and 1.3 +/- 0.3, respectively. The mean SCL and SMH values and SCL/SBW, SMH/SBW, and SMH/SMW rates were significantly higher in the patients of 40 years of age and older than those of the patients under 40 years of age (P < 0.01), in the males than in the females (P < 0.01), and in the patients with a history of SV than in the patients with no history of SV (P < 0.01). Conclusion: This study documented clear relationships between some anatomical dimensions of the sigmoid colon and SV in living subjects.