Ultrasound-guided Saline Hydrostatic Reduction in Pediatric Intussusception - Experience from a Tertiary Care Center in India.

CONTEXT

Intussusception is one of the most common causes of acute abdomen and intestinal obstruction in infants and children which requires emergent management to avoid vascular compromise to the bowel. Ultrasound-guided saline hydrostatic reduction (SHR) is a nonoperative technique used in its management which can avoid surgery in a clinically stable and uncomplicated child.

AIMS

The aim of this study was to assess the success rates of SHR in a tertiary care center and also to assess any relationship between success of reduction with age of patient, duration of symptoms, and site of intussusception.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

This was a retrospective study conducted in a single tertiary care center for 3 years.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All patients who had undergone an attempt at hydrostatic reduction were included in the study. Children who directly underwent surgery were excluded from the study. All pertinent demographic and clinical data were collected from the medical records department, tabulated, and analyzed.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Statistical testing was conducted with SPSS Statistics 23.0.

RESULTS

Among a total of 103 patients, 93 underwent successful reduction (90.2%). The comparison between success of reduction with age of patients or with site of intussusception was not significant. Success of reduction was also compared with the duration of symptoms at presentation, with increased success seen in early presenters.

CONCLUSIONS

Ultrasound-guided SHR of intussusception is an effective method with success rates of 90.2% and can be safely implemented in children who are clinically stable, irrespective of age and site, with increased success seen in early presenters.