Recurrence Rates of Pediatric Gastrojejunostomy Tube-Related Intussusceptions: Immediate Tube Exchange versus a Period of Bowel Rest.

This study compared the recurrence rate of gastrojejunal tube-related intussusceptions managed with temporary tube removal for "bowel rest" versus immediate tube exchange. The secondary aim was to compare the time to recurrence between the 2 management groups. A total of 92 episodes in 56 pediatric patients were analyzed, with demographics, tube characteristics, and interventions recorded. Recurrence rates were compared using the chi-square test, and time to recurrence was analyzed with the Kaplan-Meier method. The median age was 23 months (range, 2-184 months), the median weight was 10.9 kg (range, 3-36 kg), and 51.1% of episodes occurred in females. Fifty-three percent of recurrences occurred in the bowel rest group, and 47% occurred in the immediate reinsertion group. No statistically significant difference was found in the recurrence rates (P = 1.000) or time to recurrence (P = .364). The findings indicate that immediate tube exchange may be an equivalently effective management strategy as bowel rest in clinically stable patients.