Experience with pneumatic reduction of intussusception in children

ABSTRACT

Intussusception is a frequent cause of intestinal obstruction in infants. The majority of infants who are diagnosed at an early stage and referred to a paediatric surgical unit before the development of an advanced intestinal obstruction are amenable to non-operative reduction of intussusception. Pneumatic enema reduction was employed in 39 infants that successfully reduced intussusception in 34 [87%] of them. No complication resulted from the procedure. One patient developed recurrent intussusception after six months that was again successfully reduced by pneumatic enema. Pneumatic enema was found to be a safe clean, rapid and effective mode of non-operative reduction of intussusception