A Case of Acute Gastric Volvulus in a Child With Perforation and Shock

Abstract

A 3-year-old girl presented to our hospital with a 3-day history of fever, abdominal pain, and vomiting. On admission, her abdomen was distended, firm, and tender. Simple abdominal radiographs revealed markedly enlarged gastric bubbles and a bilobar image. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the abdomen showed intraperitoneal free air. The patient subsequently went into shock and underwent emergency surgery for a suspected gastric perforation. There was no evidence of gastric volvulus during the operation. A 5-mm perforation was found in the greater curvature of the posterior wall of the gastric vault. The perforation was closed with a suture, and the anterior gastric wall was affixed to the abdominal wall to complete the operation. The patient was discharged on the 23rd postoperative day. Although gastric perforation due to acute gastric torsion is a serious condition, accurate diagnosis and prompt surgical intervention are crucial because timely surgery can significantly increase the chances of survival.