[Postoperative invagination in early childhood]

Postoperative intussusception is a rare but serious complication which occurs usually during the early postoperative period with intermittent, but progressing intestinal obstruction with characteristic appearance of mucus-bloody stools. Two children with postoperative intussusception have been observed among 381 children who have had abdominal operations during the last three years (1985-1987) (0.5 per cent). Various postoperative complications developed in 45 children (11.8 per cent), in 2 of them (4.4 per cent) the complication being intussusception. Both children were operated for tumors. In one (1 1/2 years old) the postoperative intussusception was not diagnosed until it was re-operated; the child died. In the second child (3 months old) the postoperative intussusception was diagnosed by clinical and X-ray examination; the ileocolic portion of the intussusception was reduced by pneumocoloscopy, while the ileo-ileal required re-operation with manual reduction. The infant survived. Early diagnosis of this rare postoperative complication, especially when mucus-bloody stools appear and pneumocoloscopy is performed, is feasible. Appropriate treatment will help for a favourable outcome.