Postoperative intussusception in 10-year-old presenting as decreased intestinal motility

Abstract

Postoperative intussusception is a rare surgical complication. It typically presents as bilious emesis with abdominal pain following a symptom-free period within two weeks of either intra or extra-abdominal surgery. We present the case of a 10-year-old boy who had undergone uncomplicated open appendectomy. He developed abdominal pain, bilious vomiting and tenesmus at one week post-operatively, and postoperative intussusception was suspected. At laparotomy, he was noted to have an ileal–ileal intussusception.

Keywords

• Postoperative intussusception
• Appendectomy
• Adynamic ileus