Potential of colonoscopy as a treatment for intussusception in children

Edmar Tafner1, Philipe Tafner1, Cornelius Mittledorf1

  • 1Hospital Universitário da Universidade de São Paulo (HU-USP), São Paulo, Brazil.

Insights

Colonoscopy can successfully treat intussusception in children, a common cause of intestinal obstruction. This noninvasive approach reversed the condition in 66.7% of pediatric patients, offering a potential alternative to surgery.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Minimally Invasive Surgery

Background:

  • Intussusception is a common cause of intestinal obstruction in children, often requiring surgical intervention.
  • The ileocolic region is the most frequent site for pediatric intussusception, with unknown etiology in most cases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of colonoscopy as a noninvasive treatment for pediatric intussusception.
  • To present a series of cases managed with colonoscopic reduction.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective review of 30 pediatric patients treated between April 2010 and January 2015.
  • Colonoscopy was utilized as the primary noninvasive method for intussusception reduction.

Main Results:

  • Colonoscopic reduction was successful in 66.7% of pediatric patients.
  • 33.3% of patients ultimately required surgical intervention for intussusception resolution.

Conclusions:

  • Noninvasive colonoscopy presents a viable treatment option for pediatric intussusception.
  • This approach may reduce the need for surgical procedures in select cases.
Abstract

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