Clinical entity and treatment strategies for adult intussusceptions: 20 years' experience

Intestinal intussusception in adults is rare and the optimal management of this problem remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to determine the causes of intussusceptions in adults and to assess their treatment.

A retrospective review of patients older than aged 18 years who were diagnosed with intestinal intussusception at Tri-Service General Hospital between July 1984 and July 2004 was conducted.

During the 20-year period, there were 292 patients with intussusception, 24 (8.2 percent) of which were adults. Abdominal pain was the most common presenting complaint (79.2 percent). The diagnosis of adult intussusception was made preoperatively in 18 cases (75 percent) and intraoperatively in 6 cases (25 percent). Of the 24 patients, 20 (83.3 percent) had a defined lesion; 11 (55 percent) lesions were benign and 9 (45 percent) were malignant. In eight patients (33.3 percent), the intussusception was reduced; perforation occurred in one patient (12.5 percent). Segmental resections were performed on 14 patients (58.3 percent), right hemicolectomies on 6 patients (25 percent), laparoscopic low anterior resection on 1 patient (4.2 percent), appendectomy on 1 patient (4.2 percent), and diverticulectomy on 1 patient (4.2 percent). Intraoperative colonoscopy was performed on three patients (12.5 percent) before reduction (lipomas were noted in 2 of the patients (66.7 percent) with limited resection of the ileum and preservation of the antireflux ileocecal valve. There was one perioperative mortality (4.2 percent) and seven postoperative morbidities (29.2 percent).

Adult intussusception is an unusual and challenging condition and is a preoperative diagnostic problem. We discuss our 20 years of experience in treatment strategies for dealing with such unusual problems.