Intussusception and intestinal malrotation in infants: Waugh's syndrome

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Surgery
• Developmental Biology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Intussusception is a common surgical emergency in infants.
• The exact cause of idiopathic intussusception remains unclear.
• Normal intestinal rotation and fixation are crucial for proper gastrointestinal function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between duodenojejunal flexure position and infant intussusception.
• To assess the role of intestinal fixation in the etiology of intussusception.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 49 infants with intussusception.
• Determination of duodenojejunal flexure position in 37 infants.
• Intraoperative assessment of cecal fixation in 41 infants.

Main Results:

• The duodenojejunal flexure was in a normal position in 19 infants, midline in 3, and abnormal in 15.
• The cecum was unfixed in all 41 infants who underwent surgery.
• Abnormal flexure position was observed in a significant proportion of cases.

Conclusions:

• Lack of normal intestinal rotation and fixation is a significant factor in the etiology of idiopathic intussusception.
• Abnormal duodenojejunal flexure position may predispose infants to intussusception.
• Developmental anomalies of intestinal rotation are implicated in infant intussusception.