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Clinical efficacy evaluation of ultrasound-guided tuina therapy for pediatric intussusception
Yuanan Huang1, Zeyang Dong2, Boyi Wang2
1Department of Massage, Zhejiang Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
Insights
Ultrasound-guided pediatric tuina therapy (UGPTT) significantly improved intussusception reduction rates and efficiency in children. This radiation-free approach offers a promising alternative to traditional air enema reduction.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Non-operative Intussusception Management
- Medical Device Technology
Background:
- Intussusception is a primary cause of intestinal obstruction in young children.
- Standard air enema reduction uses ionizing radiation and specialized equipment, limiting accessibility.
- Alternative non-operative treatments are clinically significant.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate if ultrasound-guided pediatric tuina therapy (UGPTT) enhances efficacy and efficiency compared to conventional pediatric tuina therapy (PTT).
Main Methods:
- A retrospective cohort study of 50 children with intussusception.
- Comparison between UGPTT (n=30) and palpation-guided PTT (n=20).
- Success defined by ultrasound-confirmed reduction; duration and symptom relief were recorded.
Main Results:
- UGPTT showed a higher reduction rate (96.7% vs. 70.0%) and shorter treatment duration (18.0 vs. 23.0 min).
- UGPTT was an independent predictor of successful reduction (OR=18.81) and rapid reduction (OR=434.3).
- No serious adverse events were reported in either group.
Conclusions:
- UGPTT significantly improves treatment efficacy and efficiency for pediatric intussusception.
- Sonographic characteristics and clinical presentation can guide patient selection.
- UGPTT is a feasible, radiation-free non-operative option, especially where enema reduction is unavailable.
Background:
Intussusception is a leading cause of intestinal obstruction in young children. Although air enema reduction is the standard non-operative treatment, its reliance on ionizing radiation and specialized equipment limits accessibility. Therefore, alternative non-operative approaches remain clinically relevant. In this study, we aimed to evaluate whether ultrasound-guided pediatric tuina therapy (UGPTT) improves the efficacy and procedural efficiency compared with pediatric tuina therapy (PTT).
Methods:
In this retrospective cohort study (January 2023-January 2025), 50 children with primary intussusception confirmed by ultrasound underwent PTT at a single center. Thirty children received ultrasound-guided marking of the intussusception location and direction (UGPTT group), while 20 received conventional palpation-guided PTT (control group). Treatment success was defined as ultrasound-confirmed bowel reduction immediately after therapy. Treatment duration, symptom resolution time, and adverse events were recorded. Factors associated with reduction success and rapid reduction were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression.
Results:
Baseline clinical and ultrasonographic characteristics were comparable between groups (all P > 0.05). The bowel reduction rate was significantly higher in the UGPTT group than in the control group (96.7% [29/30] vs. 70.0% [14/20], P < 0.05). UGPTT was associated with shorter treatment duration (median 18.0 vs. 23.0 min, P < 0.05) and faster symptom relief (median 1.5 vs. 2.0 h, P < 0.05). No serious adverse events were observed. Multivariate analysis identified UGPTT (OR = 18.81, P = 0.024) and a smaller diameter of the ultrasonographic target sign (DTS; OR = 0.094, P = 0.022) as independent predictors of successful reduction. Further analysis showed that UGPTT (OR = 434.3, P < 0.001) and the presence of vomiting (OR = 47.25, P = 0.012) were independently associated with rapid reduction within 20 min.
Conclusion:
Ultrasound-guided pediatric tuina therapy significantly improves both treatment efficacy and procedural efficiency in pediatric intussusception. Sonographic characteristics and early clinical presentation may aid in patient selection and treatment stratification. UGPTT represents a feasible, radiation-free non-operative option, particularly in settings where standard enema reduction is unavailable.
