Intussusception reduction by hydrostatic saline enema under sonographical guidance: clinical experience in 33 cases.

During a three-year period from August 1988 to November 1991, 33 infants and children with 35 episodes of sonogram-proven intussusception were seen at the Department of Pediatrics at the Chiayi and Pingtung Christian Hospitals. Instead of a barium enema under radiological guidance, we performed hydrostatic reduction using a saline enema under sonographical guidance. The whole procedure was monitored and adequately controlled by real-time sonography. Thirty-two out of 35 episodes of intussusception were successfully reduced with no complications. The reduction rate was 91.4%. There were no abnormal findings in the intestines of those three patients who were operated on for unsuccessful reduction. The accessibility and safety of this new method of intussusception reduction makes it promising for the future.