Intussusception in children 5-15 years of age

Twenty cases of intussusception in children between the ages of 5 and 15 years were compared with intussusception in infancy and early childhood. They accounted for 18.5 per cent of all 108 children treated for intussusception in two large hospitals from 1964 to 1984. Diagnosis of intussusception was delayed, probably due to an unusual presentation. Fifty-five per cent had a definite predisposing factor precipitating the intussusception and 45 per cent had a small bowel intussusception, which warranted early surgical intervention. In the absence of contraindications no child should be disqualified from an attempt at hydrostatic reduction. After hydrostatic reduction careful follow-up is required to exclude an organic lesion, possibly by a small bowel follow-through meal. Surgery is indicated after hydrostatic reduction in case of chronically recurrent abdominal complaints.