Question

Both volvulus and intussusception involve structural obstructions of the ileum and/or colon. Explain the difference between these two types of obstruction.

What is the result of either type of obstruction?

Answer 1

1. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN VOLVULUS AND INTUSSUSCEPTION AND ITS RESULT :

VOLVULUS :

This occurs when a loop of bowel twists occluding its lumen resulting in obstruction. It is usually accompanied by strangulation, where there is interruption of the blood supply causing gangrene. It occurs in parts of the intestine that are attached to the posterior abdominal wall by a long double fold in visceral peritoneum, the mesentary. The most common site in adults is sigmoid colon and in children the small intestine. It can cause severe pain and damage to the intestinal walls, constipation, and the affected site may get necrotic.

INTUSSUSCEPTION :

In this condition a length of intestine is invaginated into itself causing intestinal obstruction. It occurs most commonly in children when a piece of terminal ileum is pushed through the ileocaecal valve. The overlying mucosa bulges into the lumen, creating a partial obstruction and a rise in pressure inside the intestine proximal to the swelling. Strong paristaltic waves develop in an attempt to overcome the partial obstruction These push the swollen piece of bowel into the lumen of the section immediately distal to it, creating the intussesception. In an intussesception due to the pressure on the veins in the invaginated portion is increased due to this it can cause congestion, further swelling, ischaemia and gangrene also there could be complete intestinal obstruction.