Clinical Characteristics of Intussusception with Surgical Reduction: a Single-Center Experience with 568 Cases

Intussusception is among the most common acute abdominal emergencies in infancy, but only some cases need surgical reduction. This study assessed the clinical characteristics of patients undergoing surgical reduction of intussusception.

This retrospective study reviewed 568 pediatric patients who failed air-enema reduction and underwent surgical reduction for intussusception in our department between 2008 and 2017.

The series comprised 376 boys and 192 girls (2.0:1, male:female ratio) and most of the intussusceptions were primary, which is typical before the age of 1 year. The success rate of air-enema reduction in our hospital was 94.2%. Patients over 3 years old had the highest rate of surgical reduction (ca. 11.8%). The probabilities of primary and secondary intussusception were equal above 2 years old. Intussusception caused by intestinal malignant lymphoma was diagnosed above 2 years of age with atypical symptoms. Gender was irrelevant regarding the presence of bloody stools (P = 0.594), but the younger patients and children with complex/compound intussusception had a higher proportion of bloody stools (n = 148, 40.0%, P = 0.000) and intestinal necrosis (n = 44, 42.3%, P = 0.024). The occurrence time of bloody stools (OTBS) in complex/compound intussusception was shorter than for other types.

This retrospective study analyzed the clinical features of patients undergoing surgical reduction for intussusception and summarized the characteristics and management of complex/compound intussusception.