Four cases of volvulus of the sigmoid in children are presented. The mean age of the patients was 12 years and the sex ratio was equal. Sigmoid volvulus in younger patients occurs mainly in an acute fulminating form with early gangrene. Since with all our patients the situation was acute, emergency surgical intervention was employed in all cases. Correct preoperative diagnosis was made in the fourth case. Surgical detorsion was carried out in one patient while resection of the gangrenous sigmoid was necessary in three patients. Adhesive intestinal obstruction developed in two patients postoperatively.

Keywords: childhood, sigmoid volvulus, sigmoidectomy