The management of cecal volvulus is controversial. From 1971 to 1986, 26 patients with cecal volvulus were treated at Malmö General Hospital. Treatment and patient follow-up are presented, together with a review of 350 patients reported in the literature during the past 15 years. Anatomic background and types of volvulus are described. Simple detorsion is an alternative in high-risk patients without gangrene, but resection is the method of choice also when there is no gangrene present.