Georgios Voidonikolas, Nicolas Melo, Steven A Wisel, Justin A Steggerda, Manaf Alsudaney, Tsuyoshi Todo, Irene K Kim, Todd V Brennan
Cecal volvulus in recipients of abdominal organ transplants is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition that demands prompt diagnosis and intervention. Given this population's high baseline morbidity, surgical extent and complication-minimization strategies must be carefully evaluated. A 52-year-old woman with a history of brittle type 1 diabetes presented after redo pancreas transplant with abdominal pain and obstipation. She underwent a computed tomography scan, which showed mesenteric torsion of the ileocolic vessels and an air-distended cecal loop. Emergency exploratory laparotomy confirmed the diagnosis of cecal volvulus. An ileocecectomy with ileocolic anastomosis was performed. The patient recovered uneventfully and was discharged on postoperative day 5. This is the first reported case of cecal volvulus following redo pancreas transplantation. The surgical strategy must be carefully tailored to minimize risks and optimize outcomes in transplant patients.