Intussusception: influence of age on reducibility.
Our experience of hydrostatic reduction of intussusception by barium enema over the last 7 years is reviewed. There were 115 attempted hydrostatic reductions out of a total of 129 patients diagnosed as having intussusception on barium enema or at surgery. Age at presentation varied from one month to nine years, 81% of patients presenting before one year of age. Of 115 attempted reductions, 63 were successful giving an overall success rate of 55%. Looking at the different age groups, it was found that hydrostatic reduction was much less successful in infants aged 3 months and younger; success rate 20% compared to a 60% success rate in the remainder. Conscious of recent reports in the literature of bowel perforation during attempted hydrostatic reduction in young infants, we suggest that there should be a reappraisal of the role of hydrostatic reduction in the three months and younger age group.
D000367:Age Factors; D001466:Barium Sulfate / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004733:Enema / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000209:etiology; D007443:Intussusception / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography
D001466:Barium Sulfate