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.
Abstract

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