What is Intussusception Reduction ?

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Why do you need Intussusception Reduction ?

Intussusception reduction is indicated for:

  • Intussusception:
    • Most common in children aged 6 months to 2 years (1–4 per 1,000 children); rare in adults.
    • Symptoms: Sudden abdominal pain (crying spells in infants), vomiting, “currant jelly” stool (blood/mucus), or palpable mass.
    • Common site: Ileocolic (ileum into colon, 80–90% of cases).
  • Cause:
    • Children: Often idiopathic; may follow viral infection (e.g., rotavirus) or a “lead point” (e.g., Meckel’s diverticulum, 5–10%).
    • Adults: Usually due to a lead point (e.g., tumor, polyp).
  • Timing:
    • Urgent: Within 24–48 hours of symptom onset to prevent bowel necrosis (risk increases after 48 hours).

The procedure aims to reduce the telescoped intestine, restore normal bowel function, and prevent complications like perforation or ischemia, typically using non-surgical methods first.

Why Do Intussusception Reduction Costs Vary in Philippines?

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Intussusception Reduction Procedure

  • Before Surgery Evaluation:
    • Diagnosis:
      • Ultrasound: Gold standard; shows “target sign” (telescoped bowel).
      • X-ray: May show air-fluid levels or obstruction; confirms diagnosis.
      • Blood tests: Monitors electrolytes, infection markers (e.g., CRP).
    • Stabilization: IV fluids for hydration; nasogastric tube (NGT) to decompress stomach; antibiotics if perforation suspected.
    • Consent: Risks, including perforation, are explained.
  • Reduction Techniques:
    • Non-Surgical Reduction (Preferred, 80–90% Success in Children):
      • Performed under sedation or light anesthesia, lasting 15–30 minutes.
      • Types:
        • Air enema (pneumatic reduction): Most common; air pumped into rectum via catheter under fluoroscopy to push bowel back (pressure 80–120 mmHg).
        • Hydrostatic enema: Saline or contrast (e.g., barium) used instead of air; less common.
      • Success: Confirmed by free flow of air/contrast into small bowel and symptom relief.
      • Contraindications: Peritonitis, perforation, or prolonged symptoms (>48 hours).
    • Surgical Reduction (if Non-Surgical Fails or Contraindicated):
      • Performed under general anesthesia, lasting 1–2 hours.
      • Approach:
        • Open surgery: Laparotomy (abdominal incision, 5–8 cm); bowel manually reduced; lead point (if present) addressed.
        • Laparoscopic: Minimally invasive; used in stable patients at advanced centers.
      • Bowel resection: If necrotic (5–10%), damaged segment removed, and ends reconnected.
    • Intraoperative Tools:
      • Fluoroscopy (non-surgical): Guides air/saline enema.
      • Laparoscope (if laparoscopic): Visualizes bowel.
      • Sutures: For bowel resection or closure.
  • After Procedure:
    • Hospital stay: 1–3 days (non-surgical); 5–7 days (surgical).
    • Care: IV fluids until oral intake resumes; monitor for bowel function (stool passage).
    • Pain management: Mild pain (non-surgical) or moderate (surgical) for 2–5 days; managed with acetaminophen or IV analgesics.
    • Instructions: Gradual return to normal diet; watch for recurrence.

Recovery After Intussusception Reduction

  1. Hospital Stay: 1–3 days (non-surgical); 5–7 days (surgical).
  2. Post-Procedure Care:
    • Pain: Mild (non-surgical) or moderate (surgical) for 2–5 days; resolves in 1 week.
    • Diet: Clear liquids within 12–24 hours (non-surgical) or 2–3 days (surgical); normal diet in 3–5 days.
    • Activity: Normal play in 2–3 days (non-surgical) or 1–2 weeks (surgical); avoid strenuous activity for 2 weeks (surgical).
    • Bowel function: Stool passage expected within 1–2 days; monitor for recurrence.
  3. Follow-Up:
    • Visit at 1 week to check recovery.
    • Ultrasound (if needed): At 1 month if recurrence suspected or lead point concern.

Most resume normal activities in 2–3 days (non-surgical) or 1–2 weeks (surgical); full recovery takes 1–2 weeks (non-surgical) or 4–6 weeks (surgical). Success rate: 80–90% for non-surgical reduction in children; recurrence rate 5–10% (usually within 72 hours).

Risks and Complications

  • Non-Surgical Reduction Risks:
    • Perforation (1–2%): During air enema; requires emergency surgery.
    • Recurrence (5–10%): Most within 72 hours; may need repeat reduction or surgery.
    • Failed reduction (10–20%): Needs surgical intervention.
  • Surgical Reduction Risks:
    • Infection (3–5%): At incision site or intra-abdominal; treated with antibiotics.
    • Bleeding (1–3%): Intra-abdominal; may need transfusion.
    • Anesthesia risks (<1%): Reaction to general anesthesia; rare in healthy children.
  • Post-Procedure:
    • Adhesions (2–5%, surgical): Scar tissue causing obstruction; may need surgery.
    • Bowel resection complications (1–3%): Leak at anastomosis; needs reoperation.
    • Recurrence (1–3%, surgical): Rare after surgery unless lead point unaddressed.
  • Long-Term:
    • Lead point (5–10%, esp. adults): If missed (e.g., polyp, tumor), may cause recurrence; needs further evaluation.

Report fever, severe pain, vomiting, or recurrence of symptoms (e.g., crying spells) promptly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What causes intussusception?

Children: Often idiopathic, possibly post-viral; lead point in 5–10% (e.g., Meckel’s diverticulum). Adults: Usually a lead point (e.g., tumor).

Can I avoid intussusception reduction?

No, reduction is necessary to prevent bowel necrosis/perforation; untreated cases can be fatal.

Is intussusception reduction painful?

Mild pain (non-surgical) or moderate (surgical) for 2–5 days, managed with medication; children recover quickly.

How soon can my child resume normal activities?

Non-surgical: 2–3 days; surgical: 1–2 weeks; full recovery: 1–2 weeks (non-surgical) or 4–6 weeks (surgical).

Is intussusception reduction covered by insurance in India?

Yes, for medical necessity; confirm with your provider; Ayushman Bharat often subsidizes.

Signs of complications?

Fever, severe pain, vomiting, or recurrence of symptoms.

Will my child have a normal recovery?

80–90% recover fully after non-surgical reduction; surgical cases recover well but take longer; recurrence risk 5–10%.

Lifestyle changes post-procedure?

Monitor for recurrence, resume normal diet gradually, avoid strenuous activity (surgical), and attend follow-ups.

Conclusion

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Looking for Best Hospitals for Intussusception Reduction

Note: we are not promoting any hospitals

We do not promote any hospitals. All details are sourced from Google and hospital websites. Please verify independently. Start with your surgery—here’s the list of government, budget, and superspecialty hospitals accredited by the Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and Joint Commission International (JCI)

  • click on your city and schedule your surgery now done in good hands.
City Minimum Price (₱) Maximum Price (₱)
Angeles City
Antipolo
Bacolod
Bacoor
Baguio
Butuan
Cagayan de Oro
Caloocan
Cebu City
Dasmariñas
Davao City
General Santos
General Trias
Iligan
Iloilo City
Las Piñas
Makati
Malolos
Manila
Muntinlupa
Parañaque
Pasay
Pasig
Puerto Princesa
Quezon City
San Fernando
San Jose del Monte
Taguig
Valenzuela
Zamboanga City

Disclaimer

This information is sourced from open platforms and is for general awareness only. Costs may vary based on individual cases. Please consult a qualified doctor for medical advice and explore options within your budget before deciding on the procedure.

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