Intussusception in childhood: a review of 139 cases.

A retrospective survey of 128 patients, representing 139 instances of proven intussusception is reviewed. An initial hydrostatic enema reduction attempt was performed in 75% of cases, with 50% of these being successful. A high recurrence rate of 18.4% followed the hydrostatically reduced cases, compared with 2.7% for the surgically treated. Hydrostatic reduction was particularly unsuccessful in infants less than six months of age, when the duration of symptoms exceeded 12 hours and when the presentation is painless. Earlier surgery is recommended for these children.