incomplete rotation of the gut

Last reviewed 01/2018

In incomplete rotation of the gut, the rotation of the extraembryonic coelom is only about 90 degrees counter- clockwise. The colon and caecum return first to the abdomen and occupy the left side. The right side of the abdomen is filled by the small bowel. The small bowel is suspended by a very narrow 1 cm mesenteric attachment between the caecum and the duodenojejunal flexure.

This condition carries a high risk of volvulus in the early days of life. There can be resultant total small bowel infarction.