Childhood intussusception: ultrasound guided reduction without x-ray exposure

Objective: We wanted to find out, if ultrasound guided hydrostatic reductio n of intussusception, as develloped by YG Kim, and other methods of intussu seption reduction are comparable. Method: We, therefore, studied all intussusceptions,diagnosed between 1989 and 1999 at children's hospital of the TU Munchen and compared our results with the most important reports until 1998. Results: 9 of 158 patients with intussusception (age 2-130 months) had to b e operated upon without any prior conservative trial, 10 intussusceptions d issolved spontaneously. 87,1% of 139 procedures were successful; taking int o account only ileocolic intussusceptions, more than 95,1% were successful. Only a few complications were recorded. Rate of recurrence 9,5% (rate of s uccess: 79% in recurrent intussusception), perforation 0,7%, letality 0%. T hese results are identical to previously published studies of ultrasound gu ided hydrostatic reduction. Conclusions: We recommend this procedure, because ultrasound guided hydrost atic reduction is more successful, has less risks and offers more advantage s than other procedures, e.g. avoidance of x-ray exposure and recognition o f impaired circulation.