Diagnosis and treatment of intussusception in adults:a report of 40 cases / 中国普通外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To assess the clinical characteristics,diagnosis and treatment of intussusception in adults. Methods The clinical data of 40 intussusception patients treated in our hospital from 1971 to 2001 were reviewed. Results The clinical manifestations mainly included abdominal pain, abdominal distention,vomit, abdominal mass, bloody stool or constipation. Patients with the triad signs of abdominal pain, abdominal mass and bloody stool only accounted for 17.4% (7/40). Those who had an acute attack of intestinal obstruction were usually diagnosed as acute mechanical intestinal obstruction, and in which intestinal strangulation took place more easily. Those who had a chronic process often had incomplete intestinal obstruction and were easily misdiagnosed.Of the 40 patients,39 underwent operation,37 cured, 2 died; and another one was cured by barium enema restoration. Conclusions B ultrasonography was helpful in early diagnosis. Bowel tumor, bowel polypus, inflammatory bowel diseases and anatomic abnormality are the main predisposing causes. So resection of the involved intestine would be the proper measure for eradication of the causes and prevention of recurrence.