DB30.1

ICD-11 MMS 2026-01

Volvulus of large intestine

Description

A volvulus is an abnormal twisting of the intestine around the axis of its own mesentery, resulting in obstruction of the more proximal bowel. Twisting of the mesentery may involve the mesenteric vessels and so make the involved loop particularly susceptible to strangulation and gangrene, with resulting perforation, peritonitis, and sepsis. The classical sites of large intestinal volvulus are the caecum and the sigmoid colon, although there are reports of volvulus of the transverse colon and the splenic flexure.

Index terms

  • Volvulus of large intestine
  • bowel loop
  • bowel volvulus
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  • colon loop
  • colon volvulus
  • knotting of intestine, bowel, or colon
  • strangulation of intestine, bowel, or colon
  • torsion of intestine, bowel, or colon
  • twist of intestine, bowel, or colon
  • Caecal volvulus
  • caecal torsion
  • Sigmoid volvulus

Exclusions from above levels

  • DA93.0 – Paralytic ileus of large intestine
  • 01 – Certain infectious or parasitic diseases
  • 02 – Neoplasms
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  • 05 – Endocrine, nutritional or metabolic diseases
  • 06 – Mental, behavioural or neurodevelopmental disorders
  • 18 – Complications of pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium
  • 22 – Injury, poisoning or certain other consequences of external causes

Sibling codes

  • DB30.0 – Intussusception of the large intestine
  • DB30.2 – Adhesions of large intestine with obstruction
  • DB30.3 – Impaction of large intestine
  • DB30.4 – Stenosis of the rectum
  • DB30.Y – Other specified obstruction of large intestine
  • DB30.Z – Obstruction of large intestine, unspecified

Foundation entity

Volvulus of large intestine – http://id.who.int/icd/entity/728568723

Allowed postcoordination axes

Part of: DB30: Obstruction of large intestine › 13: Diseases of the digestive system