Volvulus arises from a twist of the colon on its mesentery sufficient to produce intestinal obstruction. An unusually long, mobile mesentery in the affected segment or a lack of fixation is needed for Ihe twist to occur. Unless the obstruction is relieved, il progresses proximally and distally because of gas formation within the occluded segment. [...]
Patient follow-up after resection of colorectal cancer is not standardized. Nevertheless, the removal of all cancer and polyps from the bowel should be ascertained. Patients should be examined every 6 mo using rigid sigmoidoscopy, guaiac stool tests, and carcinoem-bryonic antigen (CEA) determinations. Anastomotic recurrences are most common after low rectal anastomoses and can be detected [...]
The most common colorectal disorders requiring surgery in the elderly are cancer, volvulus, diverticular disease, and angiodysplasia. (Diverticular disease and angiodysplasia are discussed in Ch. 55.) Ulcerative colitis is an uncommon but serious problem. Colorectal Cancer (Sec also Ch. 6(ยป Cancers of the colon and upper rectum preferably are treated by segmental resection and reanastomosis [...]
