Intussusception in the 1970s: indications for operation.

Eighty-one patients with proven intussusception were treated at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital from 1970-1974. One died. Seven of these had ileo-ileal intussusception, all treated surgically. Seventy-four had colonic components of their intussusceptions. In 58 of these patients (78%), reduction was attempted at barium enema, successfully in 32. Hydrostatic reduction was abandoned and the patient operated upon when the intussusception was not pushed out of the colon, when barium failed to reflux into several loops of ileum, or when there was a large persistent filling defect in the cecum or terminal ileum. Primary operation without barium enema was done in 16 patients. The appearance of intestinal obstruction by abdominal x-ray seemed to give the best warning about the complicated, incarcerated, or gangrenous intussusception. Primary operation is, therefore, advised for the patient with intussusception if there is x-ray evidence of intestinal obstruction. The age of the patient and the duration of his symptoms do not seem important in this regard, except as they correlate with peritonitis or obstruction. For the patient without peritonitis or intestinal obstruction, attempted reduction of the intussusception at barium enema seems safe and effective, regardless of the patient's age or duration of his symptoms.