STUDY OF INFANTILE GASTRIC VOLVULUS

In a recent one decade between 1981 and 1990 we have experienced thirty cases of idiopathic infantile gastric volvulus at our clinic. On admission these patients were comprised of 7 neonates, 22 infants, and one schoolchild. Vomiting was the common symptom in 29 cases (96%). Of these 29 cases, at the onset of vomiting, twenty-one cases were in the neonatal period, 7 in the infantile period (less than six months of age), and one was of school age. Most of these patients had developed vomiting starting in the neonatal period and the early infantile period. abdominal distention was observed in twelve cases. Twenty-three cases (76%), were associated with gastroesophageal reflux (GER).Their treatment was started with preservative therapy, and 24 out of 30 patients could gain a cure. However, in the remaining 6 patients, who were complicated by GER, preservative therapy failed to yield any improvement in the severity of volvulus and GER, surgery leading to curative treatment.It is believed that idiopathic gastric volvulus is often complicated by GER in the neonatal and early infantile periods. In the diagnosis and treatment of infantile gastric volvulus, we should keep this in mind.