The effectiveness of pneumoreduction for intussusception.

INTRODUCTION

To detect the effectiveness of pneumoreduction (PR) in intussusception, which is one the most common reasons of abdominal pain in infancy and childhood.

METHODS

The records of patients treated in our clinic for intussusception between January 2005 and June 2012 were reviewed retrospectively. There were 150 patients aged between 2 months - 12 years of age; 48% (72) were girls, 52% (78) were boys.

RESULTS

The most common complaint and clinical findings were abdominal pain (94,6%), vomiting (82.6%), rectal bleeding (81.3%), and discomfort (70.9%). An abdominal mass was observed in 73.3% of patients. PR was successfully performed in 86% of patients. It was carried out once in 86% of these patients and twice in 8.1%. PR was unsuccessful in six patients and they underwent surgery. Manual reduction (31 or 67.4% of operated patients) and resection - anastomosis (15 or 32.6 % of patients) were performed by surgery. Perforation occured in two patients (1.3%) during manual reduction.

CONCLUSION

PR is an effective method in the treatment of intussusception with a high success ratio and a low complication ratio. It was possible to perform the procedure especially in patients who came in the early stage of the condition.