Treatment of intussusception in children operative treatment versus hydrostatic reduction.

Intestinal intussusception is a serious abdominal emergency in infancy and childhood, with a high mortality-rate if not diagnosed and treated early. Since the management of intussusception in children is still controversial, the pro's and con's for barium enema reduction and for surgical treatment are discussed. The results of our own series of 19 patients primarily treated by barium-enema reduction compare favourably with a previous series of 14 patients treated by primary surgery.