The nonoperative treatment of intussusception is done by fluoroscopy,
however, false-positive and negative images may lead to unnecessary op
erations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of lap
aroscopy in pneumatic reduction. Surgical ileoileocolic intussusceptio
n was performed in 27 dogs. Sixteen dogs were observed for 3 days (gro
up A), and 11 were observed for 5 days (group B). Laparoscopy was perf
ormed in the intussuscepted dogs during pneumatic reduction. Under gen
eral anesthesia, a 10-mm trocar was inserted supraumblically in the mi
dline, and the laparoscope was introduced. The intussuscepted bower wa
s observed on the video monitor. A 5-mm trocar was inserted in the rig
ht upper quadrant. The mesentery of the terminal ileum was manipulated
using grasping forceps to assist reduction. CO2 was insufflated into
the rectum using a Foley catheter, and the reduction was observed on t
he video monitor. The success rate was 94% (mean reduction time, 2.5 m
inutes +/- 1.0) for group A and 100% (mean reduction time, 3.7 minutes
+/- 0.8) for group B. Bowel perforation was observed in one dog, and
recurrence of intussusception in another. The authors claim that obser
ving the bowel on the video monitor may help in the differential diagn
osis and reduction of difficult cases such as ileoileocolic and delaye
d intussusceptions, Therefore, unnecessary open surgery may be prevent
ed. Copyright (C) 1997 by W.B. Saunders Company.