[Intestinal intussusceptions in adults].

BACKGROUND

Intestinal intussusception occur when a portion of the gastrointestinal tract invaginates into the part of the tract that precedes into the peristaltic direction.

AIMS: To determine clinical presentation, diagnostic methods and outcome of the intestinal intussusception and to compare our results to previous data.

METHODS

A retrospective study of 20 patients with mean age of 40 years admitted between 1982 and 1999 and underwent surgery for intestinal intussusceptions.

RESULTS

Our patients were 10 males and 10 females. The clinical findings were essentially abdominal pain (90%). Preoperative diagnosis of intestinal intussusceptions was established in 30% of cases. Intussusceptions were ileo-ileal (n=10), ileo-colic (n=7) and colo-colic (n=3). 12 patients had tumors. For all intussusceptions involving the colon, all patients underwent resection while intussusceptions located on the small bowel were treated by reduction then resection or simple reduction then fixation. The mortality rate was 5%.

CONCLUSION

Intestinal intussusception in adults is uncommon in comparison with children. Correct diagnosis is often established during surgery. Resection is recommended because of the frequent malignancy.