# A Minimally Invasive Approach to Caecal Volvulus: A Rare Complication of Colonoscopy

## TL;DR

A 67-year-old woman developed a rare complication, caecal volvulus, after colonoscopy and was successfully treated with a minimally invasive surgical approach.

## Contribution

This is the first reported case of caecal volvulus managed successfully with laparoscopic right hemicolectomy.

## Key findings

- Laparoscopic right hemicolectomy successfully treated caecal volvulus with ischaemia.
- Minimally invasive surgery provided excellent visualization and faster recovery compared to traditional open surgery.
- Early recognition and prompt laparoscopic intervention prevented bowel necrosis and perforation.

## Abstract

Caecal volvulus following colonoscopy represents an extremely rare complication with only a few cases documented in the literature. We report the case of a 67-year-old woman who developed caecal volvulus 24 hours following routine colonoscopy with polypectomy. The patient presented with progressive cramping abdominal pain and nausea. Computed tomography revealed caecal displacement to the right upper abdomen without proximal ascending colon distension. Laparoscopic exploration confirmed caecal volvulus with ischaemia but no perforation. A laparoscopic right hemicolectomy was successfully performed, representing the first reported case managed with this minimally invasive approach. The patient recovered without complications and was discharged on postoperative day 5. This case emphasises the importance of maintaining high clinical suspicion for caecal volvulus in patients presenting with abdominal pain following colonoscopy. Early recognition and prompt laparoscopic intervention can prevent progression to bowel necrosis and perforation while offering superior outcomes compared to traditional open surgical approaches. The minimally invasive technique provides excellent visualisation, reduced morbidity, and faster recovery times, establishing it as the preferred management approach when surgical expertise is available.