Intussusception in children: effect of symptom duration on the outcome of hydrostatic reduction

Abstract

BackgroundIntussusception is a common cause of intestinal obstruction in children, especially in infants. Intussusception is a pediatric abdominal surgical emergency, and hydrostatic reduction is an effective modality of treatment in selected group of patients. There are lack of data in Nigeria on the effect of symptom duration on hydrostatic reduction.AimTo evaluate the effect of duration of symptoms on the outcome of hydrostatic reduction of intussusception.Patients and methodsThis was a prospective study on the effect of symptom duration on the success of hydrostatic reduction of intussusception in children. This study was carried out at the pediatric surgery unit of a teaching hospital over a 3-year period. The patients were categorized into two groups: group A included patients who had successful reduction, and group B included patients who had unsuccessful (failed) reduction.ResultsA total of 96 cases of intussusception were managed during the study period, of which 32 (33.3%) patients underwent hydrostatic reduction. Mean age of the patients was 7 months, with a range of 4–12 months. Male to female ratio was 1.9: 1. All the patients had abdominal pain. There was more successful hydrostatic reduction in patients who presented within 48 h of onset of symptoms (group A), and this was statistically significant (P = 0.04).ConclusionChildren with intussusception who present early (within 48 h of onset of symptoms) had more successful hydrostatic reduction when compared with patients who present after 48 h.