Rectal inflation reduction of intussusception in infants.

An improved technique for reduction of intussusception by rectal inflation is presented. This is done under fluoroscopy by means of a controllable pressure apparatus. Its pressure is controlled by adjusting the height of the mercury column in a U-tube manometer. The rectal inflation reduction technique has been widely practised for about 20 years in thousands of cases in China. An analysis of 2,496 cases in the years from 1978 to 1983 revealed a nonoperative reduction rate of 91% with two perforations but no deaths. It is good for early cases of intussusceptions. The apparatus is described. Its contraindications and criteria of irreducibility are discussed in the text.