Idiopathic gastric volvulus in infancy and childhood.

Idiopathic gastric volvulus is not rare, especially in the neonate and in infancy. Between 1966 and 1980 we managed 44 cases of gastric volvulus. In 22 of the cases, initial examination was performed under 1 year of age. The main symptoms in this group were vomiting and abdominal distention, while those in the group over 2 years of age were abdominal distention, weight loss, nausea, appetite loss etc. The upper G.I. series were the most important in diagnosis. There was only one case of acute volvulus, which was treated operatively on an emergency basis. Chronic volvulus could be treated conservatively, except in 2 cases. This consisted in the positioning of the patient in the upright right recumbent position after feeding, for at least 1 hour. In the supine position, the gastric fundus is filled and dilated when the milk is poured into the stomach, the fundus is pulled postero-caudally and the antrum is pulled upwards, resulting in the combined type of organo-axial and mesenterico-axial volvulus. Over 2 years of age, 77% required operation. The fixation of the gastric fornix with the diaphragm was performed, using 5 or 6 stitches. The result was quite satisfactory. We recommend this procedure in this operation.