Single-site laparoscopic right hemicolectomy for acute cecal volvulus: a case report

BACKGROUND Cecal volvulus is an uncommon cause of acute abdomen in patients. Cecal volvulus is currently treated mostly with right hemicolectomy with laparotomy, which is an invasive surgical procedure. Less invasive techniques, such as endoscopic decompression, have a poor success rate. CASE PRESENTATION We report a case of cecal volvulus in a 35-year-old male patient. He was successfully treated with single-site laparoscopic decompression by inserting a catheter through the amputated appendix, detorsion, and hemicolectomy. This approach was less invasive than the traditional approach and resulted in satisfactory outcomes and cosmesis. CONCLUSIONS Application of single-site laparoscopic colectomy to acute cecal volvulus is feasible using decompression of the dilated colon by inserting a catheter through the amputated appendix. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of this treatment.