HYDROSTATIC REDUCTION OF INTESTINAL INTUS SUSCEPTION IN CHILDREN - EXPERIENCE IN 43 CASES

Background: Intestinal intussusception, a medical emergency, is more c ommonly idiopathic and ileocolic and occurs with higher frequency in c hildren aged 6 months to 2 years. Barium enema confirms the diagnosis and allows its hydrostatic reduction, that is the treatment of choice of this condition. Aim: To report our experience with hydrostatic redu ction of intestinal intussusception in children. Patients and methods: Hydrostatic reduction was attempted in 43 children with intestinal in tussusception: 20 male, aged 2 to 48 months, that consulted at the Cli nical Hospital of the Catholic University in Santiago. Results: Hydros tatic reduction was successful in 33 children (77%) that were discharg ed from the hospital 24 to 96 hours after the procedure. A partial red uction was achieved in 10 patients (23%) who required surgery and were discharged from the hospital 5 to 8 days after the procedure. Conclus ions: Our results are similar to those reported abroad and allow the r ecommendation of hydrostatic reduction as the treatment of choice for intestinal intussusception.