Laparoscopic reduction of intussusception in children by a single surgeon in comparison with open surgery

The surgical approach for managing intussusception is controversial. In this study, a retrospective analysis of patients undergoing surgical reduction for intussusception over a period of five years was conducted. All patients received either open surgery or laparoscopic approach after failing enema reduction of intussusception. The clinical and operative data were collected and analyzed. Eight patients received open surgery (OPEN group), and 37 patients received laparoscopic surgery, while two (5.4%) of them converted to open surgery. The remaining 35 patients were included in the LAP group. There was no difference in age, gender, clinical symptoms and signs, duration of symptoms, level of intussusception, and complications between the OPEN and LAP groups. In contrast, the operation time and length of hospital stay in the LAP group were significantly shorter than those in the OPEN group (P = 0.013 and P = 0.001 respectively). No recurrence was disclosed in the OPEN group but three patients in the LAP group had recurrent intussusception (8.6%); however, the difference of the recurrence rate between these two groups was not statistically significant (P = 0.40). In conclusion, reducing intussusception with the laparoscopic approach is highly successful and can be performed first for stable patients requiring surgical intervention.