Situs Inversus Totalis Associated With a Colonic Cancer -A Case Report-

A rare case of situs inversus totalis associated with a colonic cancer is reported. A 73-year-old man was admitted to the hospital because of general fatigue and severe anemia. Abdominal ultrasonography and chest X-P revealed dextrocardia. Double contrast barium enema study and colonoscopy revealed an advanced cancer in the descending colon. The patient was operated on after his general condition was improved by conservative therapy. Upon operation the left-right reversal position in internal organs and a tumor in the descending colon were confirmed. Situs inversus totalis is a rare congenital malformation, but it is no morbid importance. However it may present difficulty to perform an operation. This paper shows that this technique can be safely, speedy and effectively applied in the setting of situs inversus totalis, although attention must be paid to the details of the left-right reversal, anatomical assessment of the lesions, organs and vessels.