Malrotation
Malrotation is the situation where the middle part of the intestine fails to rotate into its correct position when it returns to the abdominal cavity during intra-uterine life. Because the small intestine ends up lying relatively free, suspended by its blood supply rather than having a broad-based ligament, called the mesentery, attaching it to the back of the abdominal wall, it is liable to twist on itself. This produces a condition called a volvulus (which simply means twisted bowel). This results in obstruction and, if the blood supply is cut off, possible death of the bowel. In the infant it can produce vomiting; if it is intermittent it can cause recurrent abdominal pain in the child or adolescent. It needs surgical attention. Why it occurs is uncertain but may be related to malfunction of the little hair like structures called cilia which are responsible for moving the gut around during development.
|
