Total volvulus of the small intestine on incomplete common mesentery, an exceptional complication in adults: A case report and review of the literature

Total volvulus of the small intestine complicating an incomplete common mesentery corresponds to a failure in the 180° rotation of the primitive intestinal loop. The mesenteric root is extremely short, and the entire small intestine is pedicled on the superior mesenteric arterial axis. This condition poses a high risk of small bowel volvulus and entero-mesenteric infarction. Acute volvulus necessitates emergency surgical intervention; imaging should not delay surgical management. The surgical procedure involves detorsion of the volvulus (counterclockwise rotation) and assessment of intestinal viability. The intestine is repositioned in a complete common mesentery configuration: the cecum is placed in the left iliac fossa. We report the case of a 60-year-old patient admitted for total volvulus of the small intestine on incomplete common mesentery, successfully operated on as an emergency, with a favorable postoperative outcome.