RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: We report clinical, radiograpic and instrumental data about 18 cases of gastric chronic idiopathic volvulus observed since 1997 to june 2000. METHOD: All cases diagnosed by barium meal, performed for vomiting or after a pHmetric esophageal monitoring, in cases of atipical symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease. RESULTS: All patients underwent a conservative treatment (antireflux position and procinectics): 5 recovered after 1 year of treatment and 13 were operated on because they did not improve during medical therapy or relapsed after the end of conservative treatment. CONCLUSION: Abnormal position of the stomach is not an absolute indication for surgical treatment. When medical treatment does not obtain improvement in symptoms, surgical option has to be discussed.
