Midgut malfixation in patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia: what is the risk of midgut volvulus?

Twenty-four patients with repaired diaphragmatic hernia had upper gastrointestinal series to assess the rotation and fixation of the bowel. A spectrum of rotational abnormalities was present in almost all patients, although those with repaired right-sided hernias demonstrated a more obvious anomaly of rotation than those with repaired left-sided hernias. No patient developed a midgut volvulus despite the presence of malfixation. Postoperative adhesions likely limit the occurrence of volvulus.