Air Enema Reduction Research Articles

Clinical Impact of the Introduction of Pediatric Intussusception Air Enema Reduction Technology in a Low- to Middle-Income Country Using Low-Cost Simulation-Based Medical Education.

Pediatric intussusception is a common cause of bowel obstruction in infants. Air enema (AE) reduction is routine first-line management in many countries; however, there is a high rate of operative intervention in low- and middle-income countries. The aims of the study were to use simulation-based medical education with an intussusception simulator to introduce AE reduction to Myanmar and to assess its effect on provider behaviors and the resulting clinical care. Clinical evaluation was conducted by comparing clinical outcomes data for children with intussusception 12 months before implementation with that from 12 months subsequent to implementation. These included the following: AE success rates, recurrence rates, length of stay, intestinal resection, and operative intervention rates. An educational workshop was developed that used a low-cost mannequin to facilitate practice at the reduction of intussusception using AE. Curriculum evaluation was performed through 5-point rating scale self-assessment in several domains. Data analysis was performed with Mann-Whitney U test, Student t test, or Wilcoxon signed-ranks test as appropriate; a P value of less than 0.05 was considered to be significant. After implementation, there was a significant reduction in the overall operative intervention rates [82.5% (85/103) vs. 58.7% (44/75), P = 0.006]. Intestinal resection rates increased [15.3% (13/85) vs. 35.9% (14/39), P = 0.02]. The success rate with attempted AE reduction was 94.4% (34/36), with a recurrence rate of 5.6% (2/36). The simulation-based medical education workshop was completed by 25 local participants. There was a significant difference in the confidence of performing (1.9 vs. 3.6, P ≤ 0.0001) or assisting (2.8 vs. 3.7, P = 0.018) an AE reduction before and after the workshop. Simulation-based educational techniques can be successfully applied in a low- and middle-income country to facilitate the safe introduction of new equipment and techniques with significant beneficial impact on provider behaviors and the resulting clinical care.

Intussusception: A 14-year experience at a UK tertiary referral centre

AimsIntussusception is the most common cause of acute intestinal obstruction in infants. First line management in uncomplicated cases at our centre is fluoroscopy guided air enema reduction. This study reports a 14 year UK single centre experience highlighting management and outcomes of intussusception in children. MethodsAll cases of intussusception (ICD 10-code K56.1) at a single tertiary referral centre from 2004 to 2017 were analyzed. Data evaluated included patient demographics, clinical presentation, treatment modality(s), complications and outcome(s). ResultsTwo hundred ninety confirmed cases (69% male) of intussusception were identified during the study period. The median age at presentation was 9.5 months (range 4 days–15 years). One hundred eighty-six (64%) cases occurred in children who were transferred to Alder Hey from peripheral district hospitals. One hundred ninety-six cases (68%) proceeded directly to air enema reduction and successful reduction was achieved in 129 cases (66%). A single case (0.5%) of attempted air enema reduction was complicated by perforation. Early recurrence rate following air enema reduction was 9%. Operative management was indicated in 140 (48%) cases of which 66 required bowel resection (47%). There were no deaths. ConclusionsWe highlight one of the largest single centre UK studies defining practice outcomes for intussusception across the British Isles. Our centre has achieved a 66% success rate of non-operative reduction over 14 years in line with the British Society Pediatric Radiology (BSPR) recommendations and within 5% of the national median metric (71%). Moreover these outcomes were achieved with a very low complication rate (0.5%) from air enema reduction and no mortality in the series. Type of studyRetrospective study. Level of evidenceIII

Terminal Ileitis Presenting With a Spontaneously Reduced Ileocolic Intussusception Diagnosed by Point-of-Care Ultrasonography.

Point-of-care ultrasound can be used in the initial workup of ileocolic (IC) intussusception. In general, these lesions require immediate attention and reduction to prevent ischemic bowel injury. We discuss the case of a 27-month-old boy whose IC intussusception was found to spontaneously reduce before a radiology performed ultrasound and the planned air enema reduction procedure. Radiology ultrasound revealed significant inflammatory changes of the terminal ileum. The incidence of spontaneous reduction of IC intussusception is not definitively known. It is important to be familiar with the possibility of spontaneous reduction as children are often referred to academic centers for radiological or surgical reduction. This may also impact the sensitivity of studies that evaluate test characteristics of point-of-care ultrasound compared with radiology performed ultrasound for the diagnosis of IC intussusception. We review the diagnostic technique for IC intussusception and the importance of a prereduction ultrasound immediately before image-guided pressure reduction attempt.

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

BackgroundIntussusception 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. MethodsThis retrospective study reviewed 568 pediatric patients who failed air-enema reduction and underwent surgical reduction for intussusception in our department between 2008 and 2017. ResultsThe 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. ConclusionsThis retrospective study analyzed the clinical features of patients undergoing surgical reduction for intussusception and summarized the characteristics and management of complex/compound intussusception.

Status survey on enema reduction of paediatric intussusception in China.

ObjectiveIntussusception is a common paediatric abdominal emergency in infants. The first-line treatment of choice in uncomplicated paediatric intussusception is enema reduction. The study aim was to provide an overview of the current national practice of enema reduction of paediatric intussusception in China.MethodsA questionnaire on enema reduction of paediatric intussusception was sent to respondents (members of the Pediatric Anorectal Group, the Neonatal Group, the Society of Pediatric Surgery and the China Medical Association).ResultsData from 128 questionnaires were analysed. Of these, 78.1% (100/128) reported the use of fluoroscopy, 17.2% (22/128) use of ultrasound monitoring, 78.9% (101/128) use of air and 17.9% (23/128) use of normal saline. A total of 78.9% (101/128) reported a success rate of 90%, 25.8% (33/128) reported that a paediatric surgeon managed the reduction, 18.8% (24/128) that a radiologist managed the reduction and 44.5% (57/128) that a paediatric surgeon and radiologist jointly managed the reduction.ConclusionsThere is large variation in the techniques of enema reduction of intussusception in China. Fluoroscopy-guided air enema reduction is mainly used. Enema reduction of uncomplicated cases of paediatric intussusception in China lacks standardization of equipment and personnel involvement.

Correction to: Comparative safety and efficacy of balloon use in air enema reduction for pediatric intussusception.

The original version on this paper contained an error. The names of M. John Hicks and R. Paul Guillerman, though correctly appeared in the published version, are incorrectly displayed in indexing sites.

Emergency department discharge following successful radiologic reduction of ileocolic intussusception in children: A protocol based prospective observational study

PurposePediatric intussusception's first line treatment consists of fluoroscopic guided air enema reduction. Postprocedure, these patients are usually admitted overnight for observation. The purpose of our study was to document the results of emergency department (ED) observation and discharge protocol after successful reduction of ileocolic intussusception. MethodsA prospective observational study was conducted after implementation of an ED protocol for ileocolic intussusception from 10/2014 to 7/2017 and compared these patients to a historical cohort immediately prior to protocol initiation (10/2011–9/2014). Data collected included demographics, total time in the ED and hospital, enema reduction, recurrence, and requirement for operative intervention. Results reported as means with standard deviation and medians reported with interquartile ranges (IQR). Results115 patients were treated with the prospective protocol and were compared to a 90 patient historical cohort. Reduction was successful in 84%–89% of cases. Median hospital time after enema was shorter in the protocol group [4.8 h (4.25, 14.97) versus 19.7 h (13.9, 33.45), p < 0.01]. Only 33% of patients were admitted following the protocol; the most common admission reason was persistent abdominal discomfort. ConclusionED observation and discharge after successful air enema reduction in children with ileocolic intussusception are safe, facilitate early discharge, and reduce hospital resource utilization. Level of evidenceIII.

Early recurrence of ileocolic intussusception after successful air enema reduction: incidence and predisposing factors.

Early recurrent ileocolic intussusception (RICI) is a rare event. We aimed to estimate the rate of RICI and identify predisposing factors for early recurrence for children treated in a tertiary-care academic medical center. Consecutive children who were diagnosed with ileocolic intussusception (ICI) during the years 2005-2015 and had successful enema reduction were included. Demographic, clinical, imaging, and laboratory data were recorded for analysis. Ultrasound and fluoroscopy images were reviewed. Early RICI was defined as recurrence within 48h. Two hundred forty-five episodes of intussusception in 210 patients, ages 2 to 77months (mean 12.7), were included. Six patients (2.45%) had a RICI between 7 and 28h (mean 17h) after initial successful reduction. A total of 5/6 recurrences (83.3%) were in winter months. In the group without early recurrence, only 19.6% of the cases presented during the winter (p = 0.001). Mean age in the early recurrence group was 23months compared to 12.4months children with no early recurrence (p = 0.016). All other analyzed parameters were comparable for the groups. Early RICI is a relatively rare event that may not justify routine admission and long observation. The approach should be individual, based on the clinical picture.

Establishing content validity and fidelity of a novel paediatric intussusception air enema reduction simulator.

Intussusception is a common, potentially life-threatening paediatric condition. Non-operative treatment with an air enema has been established as the clinical gold standard. There is no validated model for the training of this procedure. Our aim was to produce a novel air enema reduction simulator and validate its use as a training tool. A low-cost paediatric intussusception air enema simulator was created. It was designed to include essential key clinical procedural steps. Participants included both procedural experts and novices from the Departments of Paediatric Radiology and Surgery. The simulator was assessed for face and content validity and its physical, conceptual and experiential fidelity by a structured questionnaire using a 5-point Likert's scale. Statistical analysis included a t-test, and a P-value of <0.05 was considered significant. Twenty-four clinicians completed the simulation activity (expert: 13 and novices: 11). All experts had performed a minimum of 40 clinical procedures, and 46% had performed >50 procedures. All scores were favourable in all domains for face and content validity: 3.5 (physical appearance), 3.3 (insertion of the tube and taping), 3.1 (holding of the buttocks) and 3.5 (performing the air enema). The simulator also scored highly with fidelity assessment; visual 3.5, conceptual 3.4. There was no difference in procedural confidence with experts (3.8 versus 3.6, P = 0.28), but there was for novices (1.0 versus 2.9, P = 0.0002). This low-cost air enema reduction simulator for intussusception has an excellent educational potential for use in a training program in a tertiary centre, as well as, resource-constrained environments.

Comparative Study between Hydrostatic Reduction of Infantile Intussusception by Saline and Air Under Sonographic Guidance in Assiut University Hospital

AbstractBackground: Intussusception is the invagination of one bowel segment into another, Once the diagnosis is settled, reduction of intussusception is an emergency procedure to be carried out immediately, reduction is done either by saline or air enema [1].Patients and Methods: Our study included 40 cases with infantile intussusception to evaluate the safety and efficacy of reduction of intussusception by using either air (group A) or saline enema reduction (group B) from November 2016 till April 2017 in General Surgery Department, Assiut Univer-sity Hospital.Results: Successful reduction was achieved in 90% of group A (pneumatic reduction) and 85% of group B (hydrostatic reduction ), group A show less complication rate than group B as there is only one perforated cases in group A while 2 perfoation in group B.Conclusion: Pneumatic reduction under US guidance avoid the exposure to radiation as with fluoroscopy and also can identify if there is any recurrence or resuidal intussuception. Pneumatic reduction is safe in 95% of cases and effective method of reduction of intussusception with less complication rate than that with hydrostatic reduction.

Air enema versus barium enema in intussusception: an overview

Intussusception is a common cause of intestinal obstruction in paediatric population. It is a medical emergency that necessitates prompt reduction of intussuscepting bowel. If left untreated, intussusception can be fatal in a couple of days. The mainstay treatment of intussusception is enema reduction. Both barium and air enema reduction techniques are successful and acceptable strategies for management of intussusception in children. The use of air reduction is currently growing for its safety. Air reduction is associated with higher success rates, less risk for perforation, and less risk for peritoneal contamination than barium reduction. Air reduction generates higher intraluminal pressure during the reduction procedure thus making it faster and more effective. Barium reduction, on the other side, has a diagnostic potential and can better detect pseudo-reduction after management of intussusception. It is easier to perform and more familiar for most of the radiologists than air reduction. To date, both techniques are used, and the choice depends largely on clinical practice, institutional guidelines, and radiologists’ preference. This article aims at differentiating between the two types of reduction regarding the technique, advantages, disadvantages, success rates, recurrence rates, and complications rates.

No Prophylactic Antibiotic Use for Young Children\u2019s Intussusception with Low-risk Infection after Successful Air Enema Reduction

The Chinese government has issued the policy of promulgating the clinical use of antibacterial drugs since 2011. Prophylactic antibiotic use is a challenging problem among young children with intussusception after successful air enema reduction. There were limited data regarding the clinical value of prophylactic antibiotics for intussusception with low-risk infections. A retrospective non-randomized comparative study was conducted among 188 young children with intussusception after successful air enema reduction between January 1, 2011 and December 30, 2013. Among these children, 51 received prophylactic antibiotics and 137 did not receive antibiotics. Our results showed that there were no significant differences in age, gender, weight, admission period, reduction interval, axillary temperature, leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, mesenteric lymph nodes and complications between groups (P > 0.05). The national policy had significantly improved clinical use of antibiotic for young children with low-risk intussusception (OR < 0.001, P < 0.001). Inpatients days were longer for children used antibiotics than those who did not (median, 27.0 hours vs 21.0 hours, P = 0.003). Prophylactic antibiotics appeared to be of little value after the successful air enema reduction of intussusception in young children with low-risk infection. Policy intervention is effective for antibiotic use in China.

Clinical Value of Color Doppler Ultrasound in Diagnosis of Children Intussusception

To analyze and evaluate the characteristics and effects of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of intussusception in children, the clinical data of 65 children with intussusception diagnosed by ultrasound were retrospectively analyzed. As a result, this group of children with intussusception confirmed by X-ray air enema reduction or surgery were diagnosed with no false-positive cases by color Doppler ultrasound. The characteristics of intussusception in children were as follows: the cross section of condom was changed concentrically, showing a sign, a ring-shaped strong echo was found in the center of the target ring, or gas-liquid mixed echo. The outer circumference of the target ring alternately surrounds the multiple layers of strong and weak echoes. The thickness of the target ring is closely related to the number of layers of the intestine and the edema of the intestinal wall. The longitudinal section of the nested pile shows sleeve-like changes, showing a sleeve sign, the length in the range of 3.6 to 6.2cm. Finally, with reference to the characteristic changes of ultrasonic images in pediatric intussusception, it is concluded that the diagnosis of intussusception in children is reliable and accurate, and it is worthy of wide clinical application.

Intussusception reduction: Effect of air vs. liquid enema on radiation dose.

Both air and radiopaque liquid contrast are used to reduce ileocolic intussusception under fluoroscopy. Some suggest air lowers radiation dose due to shorter procedure times. However, air enema likely lowers radiation dose regardless of fluoroscopy time due to less density over the automatic exposure control cells. We test the hypothesis that air enema reduction of ileocolic intussusception results in lower radiation dose than liquid contrast enema independent of fluoroscopy time. We describe a role for automatic exposure control in this dose difference. We retrospectively evaluated air and liquid intussusception reductions performed on a single digital fluoroscopic unit during a 26-month period. We compared patient age, weight, gender, exam time of day and year, performing radiologist(s), radiographic image acquisitions, grid and magnification use, fluoroscopy time and dose area product. We compared categorical and continuous variables statistically using chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests, respectively. The mean dose area product was 2.7-fold lower for air enema, 1.3±0.9 dGy·cm2, than for liquid, 3.5±2.5 dGy·cm2 (P<0.005). The mean fluoroscopy time was similar between techniques. The mean dose area product/min was 2.3-fold lower for air, 0.6±0.2 dGy·cm2/min, than for liquid, 1.4±0.5 dGy·cm2/min (P<0.001). No group differences were identified in other measured dose parameters. Fluoroscopic intussusception reduction using air enema uses less than half the radiation dose of liquid contrast enema. Dose savings are independent of fluoroscopy time and are likely due to automatic exposure control interaction.

Risk factors associated with intestinal necrosis in children with failed non-surgical reduction for intussusception.

Intestinal necrosis is the most serious complication of intussusception. The risk factors associated with intestinal necrosis in pediatric patients with intussusception have not been well characterized. This study aimed to investigate the risk factors associated with intestinal necrosis in pediatric patients with failed non-surgical reduction for intussusception. Hospitalized patients who failed the air-enema reduction for intussusception in the outpatient department and subsequently underwent surgery were retrospectively reviewed. All cases were categorized into two groups: intestinal necrosis group and non-intestinal necrosis group based on the surgical findings. Demographic and clinical features including the findings from the surgery were recorded and analyzed. Factors associated with intestinal necrosis were analyzed using univariate and multivariate unconditional logistic regression analyses. A total of 728 cases were included. Among them, 171 had intestinal necrosis at the time of surgery. The group with intestinal necrosis had a longer duration of symptom or length of illness (P = 0.000), and younger (P = 0.000) than the non-intestinal necrosis group. Complex/compound type of intussusceptions is more likely to have intestinal necrosis. Multivariate analysis showed that the presence of grossly bloody stool (OR = 2.12; 95% CI 1.19-3.76, P = 0.010) and duration of symptom (OR = 1.07; 95% CI 1.06-1.08, P = 0.000) were independent risk factors for intestinal necrosis in patients hospitalized for surgical reduction for intussusceptions. At time of admission, the presence of bloody stools and duration of symptom are the important risk factors for developing intestinal necrosis for those patients who failed non-surgical reduction. The length of illness has the highest sensitivity and specificity to correlate with intestinal necrosis. This finding may suggest that we should take the intussusception cases that have the longer duration of symptom directly to operation room for reduction.

A comparison of hydrostatic reduction in children with intussusception versus surgery: Single-centre experience

Background:Intussusception is the most common cause of bowel obstruction in infancy and childhood. Early diagnosis and effective management have reduced its morbidity and mortality in developed countries. Non-surgical reduction remains the first-line treatment of choice for intussusception. The major complication of air enema reduction is bowel perforation and portal venous gas. In recent years, several techniques have been recommended for intussusception treatment. In this study, an evaluation was made of intussusception cases that presented at our clinic and had reduction applied together with saline under ultrasonography and cases, which were surgically treated. Our aim of this study is to evaluate the results of hydrostatic reduction under ultrasound guided and to compare the results with patients treated by surgery for the management of intussusception.Patients and Methods:A retrospective study was done of the records of 100 cases treated for a diagnosis of intussusception between April 2011 and April 2013, in Department of Paediatric Surgery, Zagazig University Hospital. Patients were evaluated demographics, clinical presentation and management strategy, during the hospitalisation and outcome.Results:This study includes 100 patients diagnosed with intussusception, sixty males and forty females, the age ranged between 1 month and 7 years old. Ultrasound was applied for all patients as a part of diagnosis. Hydrostatic reduction under ultrasound guide was applied to fifty patients, successful hydrostatic reduction was seen in thirty patients and unsuccessful hydrostatic reduction was seen in twenty patients which admitted for surgery, we did not do another chance of hydrostatic reduction for unsuccessful patients, open surgery was done for seventy patients, during surgery, we found ileocolic intussusception in forty patients, ileoileal in twenty patients and colocolic intussusception in ten patients. Leading point of intussusception was seen in 22 patients, Meckel's diverticulum in ten patients, polyp in five patients and lymphoma in seven patients. Manual reduction was done in forty patients and resection anastomosis was done in thirty patients. No mortality in any case.Conclusion:Ultrasound-guided hydrostatic reduction of intussusception is a safe technique which reduces the duration of hospitalisation and treatment costs.

Intussusception following rotavirus vaccination: a reminder for practitioners.

Intussusception is a paediatric surgical emergency that requires prompt diagnosis and management to prevent significant patient morbidity and mortality. Of the recognised causes, intussusception following rotavirus vaccination is relatively rare and may be overlooked by practitioners. We present the case of a 2-month-old infant found to have intussusception following rotavirus vaccination together with a review of current literature around this important topic. A 2-month-old male infant was admitted under the paediatric team with a 1-day history of non-bilious vomiting, pyrexia, and irritability a day after receiving his first-dose rotavirus vaccination. On examination he was haemodynamically stable and had no focal signs of sepsis. His abdominal examination revealed a soft, non-distended abdomen with no palpable masses. He had passed normal stool within the preceding 24 hours. Following initial assessment, he underwent a full septic screen including lumbar puncture, the results of which were all within normal range. After developing bilious vomiting overnight a paediatric surgical review was obtained and an upper gastrointestinal contrast study was performed. This revealed no evidence of malrotation. An abdominal X-ray was subsequently performed which revealed a soft tissue mass in the right hypochondrium, dilated proximal small bowel loops, and a paucity of distal bowel gas, in keeping with small bowel obstruction (Figure 1). An urgent ultrasound scan was obtained which showed dilated proximal small bowel loops and the characteristic target sign typically seen in intussusception (Figure 2). The child received full resuscitation before an air enema reduction was performed under …

Surgical outcomes after failed air enema reduction of intussusception in children in a paediatric hospital in Singapore

Purpose: The aim of this study is to determine the surgical outcomes after failed air enema reduction of intussusception in children in a paediatric hospital in Singapore. Knowledge of the surgical findings in cases of failed reductions may potentially help clinicians determine which cases need further investigation should there be a secondary cause of the intussusception such as a pathological lead point.

Reducing Antibiotic Use for Young Children with Intussusception following Successful Air Enema Reduction.

China introduced a new policy regarding the management of antibiotic use. We evaluated the reasonableness of antibiotic use among children suffering from intussusception before and after policy. A retrospective study was conducted involving 234 young children with intussusception who were treated between January 1, 2011 and December 30, 2013. Demographics and detailed antibiotics regimens were collected. χ 2 test was used to evaluate differences between the phase I (preintervention, n = 68) and phase II (postintervention, n = 166). We determined that the overall antibiotic use rate following successful air enema reduction was 41% (97/234), which decreased from 99% (67/68) in phase I to 18% (30/166) in phase II. In phase I, prophylactic antibiotic usage reached up to 84% (56/67). The quantity of aztreonam for injection accounted for 63% (45/71), and cefamandole nafate for injection accounted for 25% (18/71). In phases II, prophylactic antibiotic usage were reduced to 13% (4/30). The quantity of aztreonam for injection was decreased to 12% (4/33) and cefamandole nafate for injection was 3% (1/33). Antibiotics' options were more diverse. In conclusion, policy intervention was effective in addressing some aspects of antibacterial drug usage among young children with intussusception. However, excessive drug use remains a public health problem. The guidelines for the antibiotic management of intussusception for children must be established in China.

Meta-analysis of Air Versus Liquid Enema for Intussusception Reduction in Children.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of air versus liquid enema reduction in the treatment of intussusception in children. Literature searches of the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were conducted from January 1, 1966, through May 31, 2013. Articles on the use of air or liquid enema in children with a confirmed diagnosis of intussusception and reporting either a success rate for enema reduction of intussusception or a perforation rate were selected. Enema reduction success rate, perforation rate, and recurrence rate were the main outcomes and were calculated by random effects modeling. One hundred two articles (101 reporting success rate, 71 reporting perforation rate) were included that presented results for 32,451 children (age range, 1 day-22 years; boys, 66%; girls, 34%). In 44 studies (16,187 children), the combined estimate for success rate of air enema was 82.7% (95% CI, 79.9-85.6%; inconsistency index [I(2)] = 97%), and in 52 studies (13,081 children) of liquid enema, it was 69.6% (95% CI, 65.0-74.1%; I(2) = 98%). In 38 studies (15,752 children), the combined estimate of perforation rate for air enema was 0.39% (95% CI, 0.23- 0.55%; I(2) = 40%), and in 30 studies (9429 children) of liquid enema, it was 0.43% (95% CI, 0.24- 0.62%; I(2) = 9%). Among 10,494 children (26 studies) undergoing air enema reduction, the rate of first intussusception recurrence was 6% (95% CI, 4.5-7.5%; I(2) = 89%), similar to the 7.3% (95% CI, 5.8-8.8%; I(2) = 71%) found for 4004 children (24 studies) undergoing liquid enema reduction. Air enema was superior to liquid enema for intussusception reduction. The success rate was higher without a difference in perforation rate. Limitations included heterogeneity and publication bias.