Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Tissue Engineering of the Intestine in a Murine Model
Published on: December 1, 2012
Ten-year review of intussusception at Starship Hospital: 1998-2007
Hemal Kodikara1, Amiria Lynch, Phillip Morreau
1Starship Children's Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand. hemal83@hotmail.com
Insights
Intussusception management in children shows air enema reduction is effective, but Maori and Pacific children have poorer outcomes. Further research is needed for national guidance.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Intussusception is a common surgical emergency in infants and children.
- Accurate diagnosis and timely management are crucial for favorable outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review intussusception cases at Starship Children's Hospital.
- To analyze demographics, treatment success rates, and outcomes.
- To inform national management guidelines for intussusception in New Zealand.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case series.
- Data collected from patients diagnosed with intussusception between 1998 and 2007.
- Analysis of demographics, presenting features, and treatment outcomes.
Main Results:
- 189 patients analyzed; classic triad present in 30%.
- Air enema reduction successful in 78.7% of cases.
- 28.6% required surgery, with 26 resections; obstruction and symptom duration predicted failure.
Conclusions:
- Intussusception rarely presents with the classic triad.
- Air enema is a safe and effective treatment with low complication rates.
- Maori and Pacific children experienced higher rates of failed reduction and surgery.
Aims:
To review the demographics, presenting features, rates of air enema reduction success, prevalence of pathological lead points and surgical intervention rates and outcomes in patients with intussusception at Starship Children's Hospital (Auckland, New Zealand). To use this data to guide management of children at a national level in New Zealand.
Method:
Retrospective case series. Patients discharged from Starship Children's Hospital between 1 January 1998 and 31 December 2007 with a diagnosis of intussusception were obtained from coding data.
Results:
189 patients were analysed. 30% presented with the classic triad of pain, rectal bleeding and mass. 150/189 proceeded to air enema reduction which was successful in 118 (78.7%) of cases with 2 perforations. 54/189 (28.6%) proceeded for operative reduction of which 26 patients required surgical resection. Clinical and radiological evidence of bowel obstruction and duration of symptoms were associated with failed enema and surgical resection.
Conclusion:
Intussusception only occasionally presents with the typical triad of abdominal pain, rectal bleeding and abdominal mass. Air enema reduction is successful at this institution with a low level of complication. Maori and Pacific patients had higher rates of failed enema reduction and need for surgery compared to European patients. Further research is needed from peripheral centres to evaluate outcomes of children treated in district hospitals to identify how and where these children are best managed.
Related Concept Videos
Esophageal Strictures-II: Clinical Features and Management
Healthcare providers should gather a comprehensive medical history and conduct a physical examination for diagnosis. If esophageal stricture is...
Intestinal Obstruction I: Introduction
Inflammatory Bowel Disease V: Surgical Management
Here are some common surgical interventions for IBD:
Intestinal Obstruction II: Pathophysiology
Appendicitis-II: Diagnostic Studies and Management
Diagnosing Appendicitis
It requires a multifaceted approach, starting with a detailed physical examination to pinpoint the location and nature of the pain and identify any associated symptoms. Laboratory tests play a crucial role. A complete Blood Count (CBC) typically reveals leukocytosis (an increased number of...
Esophageal Strictures-I: Introduction
Etiology
The primary cause of esophageal strictures is long-standing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), accounting for about 70 to 80% of adult cases. Chronic acid reflux can lead to injury and scarring of the esophageal lining, culminating in...

