Omental Torsion Diagnosed and Treated with Single-Incision Laparoscopic Surgery in 2 Pediatric Patients: A Case Report.

introductionOmental torsion (OT), caused by twisting of the greater omentum around its axis, leading to reduced blood supply to the distal aspect of the omentum and tissue infarction, is a rare disease that manifests clinically as acute abdominal pain. Accurate preoperative diagnosis is difficult. Here, we present 2 pediatric patients diagnosed and treated using computed tomography (CT). CASE PRESENTATION: Case 1, a 14-year-old boy, had abdominal pain for 3 days. Upon referral to our hospital due to worsening pain, CT revealed an intra-abdominal fatty mass extending into high-density lesions in the fat tissue. Due to severe peritoneal irritation, emergency single-incision laparoscopic surgery was performed. Secondary OT was diagnosed as the greater omentum was twisted by the cord-like tissue, continuing from the greater omental infarction to the lesser omentum. Partial omentectomy, including the ischemic portion, was performed. Case 2, an 11-year-old boy, was referred with suspected appendicitis due to right lower abdominal pain for 2 days. CT revealed a whirling sign in the greater omentum and high-density lesions in the fat tissue. The patient was in good condition, and the peritoneal irritation was unclear; therefore, conservative treatment was initiated. However, symptoms did not improve after 48 h and single-incision laparoscopic surgery was performed, revealing a twisted necrotic omental mass diagnosed as primary idiopathic greater OT. Partial omentectomy, including the ischemic portion, was performed.

conclusionsCT scan aids in preoperative diagnosis of OT, for which single-incision laparoscopic surgery is a less invasive and useful therapy. Early surgical intervention is warranted when conservative treatment fails.