Total colonic volvulus with a 720° twist of freely mobile colon.

Segmental colonic volvulus involving the sigmoid or ileocaecal region is an important cause of large bowel obstruction and a well-established surgical emergency. Volvulus of the entire colon however is hazardously rare, in which case the diagnosis is likely to be made intraoperatively. The surgeon is then faced with the conundrum of the best surgical management, especially in the case of early intervention with viable bowel.

Complete resection of a massive mesenteric lymphangioma in an adult.

Mesenteric lymphangioma is a benign cystic tumour of the lymphatic vessels that occurs rarely in adults. Due to the infrequency of cases and the insidious presentation, these tumours can be diagnosed late and become massive. Resection of mesenteric lymphangioma in its entirety is the recommended management in order to prevent recurrence.