Role of laparoscopy in the management of intussusceptions in children

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the role and efficacy of laparoscopic reduction of intussusceptions in children with failed initial hydrostatic reductions. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study of children who underwent laparoscopy for incomplete reductions following sonoguided hydrostatic reduction.Laparoscopy guided pneumatic reduction or laparoscopic reduction was done. Results: Hydrostatic reduction was successful in 76 (73.5%) of cases. Among 26 children in Laparoscopy group 8 showed completeness of reduction. Features of necrotic bowel were seen in 4 (15%) children requiring laparotomy. Among 14 children with incomplete reduction 3 (21%) children required pneumatic reduction under laparoscopic monitoring. 11 required laparoscopic reduction. None of the incomplete group with viable bowel required conversion to open surgery. No major complications were noted in any groups. The mean hospital stay was 1.8 days in hydrostatic group 4.2 days in laparoscopic group and 6.8 days in laparotomy group. No recurrence of intussusceptions noted. Conclusions: The role of laparoscopy in intussusceptions is evolving as a safe procedure and helps in avoiding laparotomy in large number of children with incomplete reduction. Non operative reduction is the gold standard in management of intussusceptions in children. Excellent results are obtained with either saline or pneumatic reductions. However, in few cases of, incomplete reduction or doubtful complete reduction with non operative technique poses problem for further management and may need laparotomy. Laparoscopy being less invasive has distinct advantage over open laparotomy. Use of Laparoscopy in the management of Intussusceptions is described in literature. We have analyzed our results of laparoscopic management of intussusceptions in children in our center.

Keywords

• Children
• intussusception
• laparoscopy reduction