Recurrent intussusception in children and infants.
BACKGROUND
Recurrent intussusceptions in child and infants are problematic and there are controversies about its management. The aim of this study is to determine the details of the clinical diagnosis of recurrent intussusception and to determine the aetiology of recurrent intussusceptions.


METHODS
It's a retrospective study of 28 cases of recurrent intussusception treated in the paediatric surgery department of Monastir (Tunisia) between January 1998 and December 2011.


RESULTS
During the study period, 505 patients were treated for 544 episodes of intussusception; there were 39 episodes of recurrent intussusceptions in 28 patients; the rate of patients with recurrence was 5.5%. With comparison to the initial episode, clinical features were similar to the recurrent episode, except bloody stool that was absent in the recurrent group (P = 0,016). Only one patient had a pathologic local point.


CONCLUSIONS
In recurrent intussusception, patients are less symptomatic and consult quickly. Systematic surgical exploration is not needed as recurrent intussusceptions are easily reduced by air or hydrostatic enema and are not associated with a high rate of pathologic leading points.
Department of Paediatric Surgery, Hopital Fattouma Bourguiba, Medical School of Monastir; Monastir 5000, Tunisia.
Amine
A
Ksia
Sana
S
Mosbahi
Mohamed Ben
MB
Brahim
Lassaad
L
Sahnoun
Besma
B
Haggui
Sabrine Ben
SB
Youssef
Kais
K
Maazoun
Imed
I
Krichene
Mongi
M
Mekki
Mohsen
M
Belghith
Abdellatif
A
Nouri
D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007077:Ileal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007443:Intussusception / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D011860:Radiography, Abdominal; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014416:Tunisia / Q000453:epidemiology