Intussusception (children)

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Colonoscopy

Intussusception - X-ray

Digestive system organs

Intussusception (children)

Treatment:

Initial efforts will be directed at stabilizing the child. A tube will be passed into the stomach through the nose (nasogastic tube) to allow decompression of the bowels. An intravenous (IV) line will be placed, and fluids will be given.

In some cases, the bowel obstruction can be treated with a barium enema performed by a skilled radiologist. There is a risk of bowel perforation with this procedure, and it is not used if a bowel perforation is already present.

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If nonoperative treatment is unsuccessful, surgery will be performed. Usually the bowel tissue can be saved, but if not, any dead tissue will be removed.

Intravenous feeding and fluid will be continued until a normal bowel movement has passed.

Expectations (prognosis):

The probable outcome is good with early treatment. In older children, intussusception may develop because of the presence of polyps or tumor.

There is a risk of recurrence.

Complications:

Perforation with infection is a complication.

Calling your health care provider:

Intussusception is an emergency condition! See your health care provider immediately, call the local emergency number (such as 911), or go to the emergency room immediately.