Summary
Definition
History and exam
Key diagnostic factors
- bilious vomiting
- abdominal pain
Other diagnostic factors
- infant age <1 year
- normal abdominal exam
- abdominal distension
- abdominal tenderness
- tachycardia with hypertension
- tachycardia with hypotension
- tachypnea
- weight loss
- dark blood in diaper
Risk factors
- embryologic abnormality
Diagnostic tests
1st tests to order
- upper gastrointestinal contrast series
- abdominal plain films
Tests to consider
- ultrasound
- lower gastrointestinal (GI) contrast series
- CT abdomen (with oral and intravenous contrast)
- ABG (including lactate)
- Coagulation studies, type and screen, or cross-match
- Blood chemistries
- CBC
- CRP
Treatment algorithm
obstruction with ischemia
obstruction without ischemia
intermittent or partial volvulus or obstructing Ladd bands
questionable malrotation or asymptomatic finding
Contributors
Authors
Michael Stanton, MB BS, MD, FRCS (Paed Surg)
Consultant Paediatric Surgeon and Honorary Senior Lecturer
Department of Paediatric Surgery
University Hospital Southampton
Southampton
UK
Disclosures
MS declares that he has no competing interests.
Acknowledgements
Dr Michael Stanton would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Stephen Shew, Dr S.D. St Peter, Dr Fizan Abdullah, and Dr Omar Karim, previous contributors to this topic.
Disclosures
SS is the author of two references cited in this topic. SDSP is the co-author of one reference cited in this topic. FA and OK declared that they had no competing interests.
Peer reviewers
Casey M. Calkins, MD
Assistant Professor of Pediatric Surgery
The Medical College of Wisconsin
Children's Hospital and Health System
Milwaukee
WI
Disclosures
CC declares that he has no competing interests.
Steve Rothenberg, MD
Chief of Pediatric Surgery
Chairman Department of Pediatrics
The Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children at Presbyterian/St. Luke's
Denver
CO
Disclosures
SR declares that he has no competing interests.
KuoJen Tsao, MD
Assistant Professor
Department of Pediatric Surgery
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Houston
TX
Disclosures
KT declares that he has no competing interests.
Eric Nicholls, MD
Consultant Paediatric Surgeon
Paediatric Surgery
St George's Hospital
London
UK
Disclosures
EN declares that he has no competing interests.
Peer reviewer acknowledgements
BMJ Best Practice topics are updated on a rolling basis in line with developments in evidence and guidance. The peer reviewers listed here have reviewed the content at least once during the history of the topic.
Disclosures
Peer reviewer affiliations and disclosures pertain to the time of the review.
References
Key articles
Shew SB. Surgical concerns in malrotation and midgut volvulus. Pediatr Radiol. 2009;39(suppl 2):S167-71. Abstract
Expert Panel on Pediatric Imaging, Alazraki AL, Rigsby CK, et al. ACR appropriateness criteria® vomiting in infants. J Am Coll Radiol. 2020 Nov;17(11s):S505-15.Full text Abstract
Graziano K, Islam S, Dasgupta R, et al. Asymptomatic malrotation: diagnosis and surgical management: an American Pediatric Surgical Association outcomes and evidence based practice committee systematic review. J Pediatr Surg. 2015 Oct;50(10):1783-90. Abstract
Ooms N, Matthyssens LE, Draaisma JM, et al. Laparoscopic treatment of intestinal malrotation in children. Eur J Pediatr Surg. 2016 Aug;26(4):376-81.Full text Abstract
Reference articles
A full list of sources referenced in this topic is available to users with access to all of BMJ Best Practice.
Differentials
- Duodenal atresia/web
- Intussusception
- Gastroesophageal reflux
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