[Our childhood cases with intussusception and pneumatic reduction]

Intussusception is defined as telescopic insertion of the terminal ileum in to the colon after the cecum and colon. The aim of this study was to present our experience in pneumatic reduction of intussusception.

In our study, 118 intussusception cases treated between 1996 and 2008 were analyzed. Age, gender, admission time, diagnostic/treatment methods, types of intussusception including leading point, and postoperative complications were evaluated.

Of these patients, 76 (64%) were male and 42 (36%) were female. Mean age was 25 +/- 34 months (3-180 months). The most common clinical presentations were vomiting, abdominal pain/irritable crying and bloody stools. Intussusceptions were ileocolic in 109 (92.3%) patients, ileoileal in 7 (6%) patients, and colocolic in 2 (1.7%) patients. No mortality was noted. Fifty-three patients (45%) were treated by nonoperative reduction whereas the remainder were treated surgically. Among 65 patients operated, 13 leading points were detected. Pneumatic reduction success rate was 86%. Age significantly reduced the pneumatic reduction success rate; however, the duration between the beginning of symptoms and hospital admission and bloody stool were not effective.

Intussusception can be treated by non-operative methods when diagnosed early. Our results suggest that pneumatic reduction of intussusception in the pediatric population should be considered as a first choice.