Chukwubuike KE
Background: Intussusception is a common cause of intestinal obstruction in children. The aim of this study was to evaluate our experience in the management of children whose intussusception was found to be gangrenous at surgery.
Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study of children below 15 years of age who had laparotomy for intussusception between January 2017 and December 2018 at a tertiary hospital in Enugu Nigeria.
Results: A total of 71 cases of intussusceptions were managed during the study period. Out of this number, 47 (66.2%) patients were noticed to have gangrenous intussusception at surgery and formed the basis for this report. There was male predominance and the peak age of the patients was 7 months. The mean duration of hospital stay was 10 days. About one-quarter of the patients had a history of preceding viral infection of the respiratory or gastrointestinal tract and all the intussusception were ileocolic. Right hemicolectomy with ileotransverse anastomosis and surgical site infection were the definitive operative procedure performed and most common post-operative complication respectively. Eight (17%) patients expired.
Conclusion: Late presentation of children with intussusception could result in bowel gangrene which is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Early presentation is advised.
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