Intussusception in Kano: a 5-year analysis of pattern, morbidity and mortality

Intussusception is a common surgical problem in childhood. This study was undertaken to determine the clinico-pathologic pattern of the disease in Kano.

Thirty-two cases of intussusception were retrospectively studied over a 5-year.

Twenty-nine (90.6%) occurred in children and 3 (9.4%) in adults. Of the 29 childhood cases, 20 (68.9%) were males and 9 (31.1%) were females, with a male to female ratio of 2.2 to 1. Infantile intussusception constituted 21 (72.4%), while 8 (27.6%) were between 2 to 8 years of age. Ileocolic intussusception was the most common type with 16 cases (55.2%), while the others accounted for 13 (44.8%). All the childhood cases were idiopathic as there was no underlying cause. In contrast, adult intussusception was usually secondary to an underlying aetiological factor, with the colocolic type more common in 2 (66.7%), and ileocolic in 1 (33.3%). Surgery was the main treatment modality with a high resection rate, and a mortality of 9.4% mainly in patients with intestinal gangrene and septicaemia.

Early presentation and prompt treatment is the key to reducing morbidity and mortality.