Postoperative intussusception in childhood: case report.

An eight year old female had laparotomy for general peritonitis due to acute appendicitis. Postoperative course was uneventful until the seventh day when abdominal pain, and distension and vomiting ensued which did not respond to conservative management. At repeat laparotomy, an ileoileal intussusception was found and reduced without difficulty. Intussusception is an uncommon but important cause of postoperative intestinal obstruction. Since the typical features of intussusception are usually absent and radiology frequently unhelpful, a high index of clinical suspicion is necessary for early diagnosis and treatment to avoid strangulation and perforation.