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Ultrasound-guided reduction of intussusception in infants in a developing world: saline hydrostatic or pneumatic technique?

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Abstract

Non-operative reduction has emerged as first line in the management of uncomplicated intussusception. The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of ultrasound-guided saline hydrostatic reduction and ultrasound-guided pneumatic reduction of intussusception in infants. This is a prospective study of infants with uncomplicated intussusception confirmed by ultrasound over a period of 21 months from December 2018 to August 2020. Fifty-two (69.3%) out of seventy-five infants were eligible and randomized based on simple random sampling technique into two groups: Group A included patients who had ultrasound-guided hydrostatic (saline) reduction; Group B included patients who had ultrasound-guided pneumatic (air) reduction. The success rates, time to reduction and complication rates were assessed. The success rates, between the saline hydrostatic reduction group and pneumatic reduction group, were comparable [17 (65.4%) versus 19 (73.1%); relative risk (RR) 0.8; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.6–1.2; p = 0.54]. The mean time to reduction was higher in the saline hydrostatic reduction group (15.4 ± 5.1 min versus 10.8 ± 4.1 min; p = 0.003). There was no statistically significant difference in the perforation and recurrence rates between the two groups.

Conclusion: Saline hydrostatic reduction and pneumatic reduction of uncomplicated intussusception under ultrasound guidance in infants might have comparable outcomes. However, pneumatic reduction may be faster.

What is Known:

• Ileocolic intussusception is the most common cause of intestinal obstruction in infants.

• Ultrasonography is useful in the diagnosis and non-operative treatment of ileocolic intussusception.

What is New:

• Ultrasound-guided hydrostatic enema and ultrasound-guided pneumatic enema are similarly effective and safe techniques in the reduction of ileocolic intussusception.

• Reduction of ileocolic intussusception under ultrasound guidance is a great technique that may prove useful in the developing world due to lower cost of required equipment.

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Data Availability

The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sub-Department of Pediatric Surgery, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Ituku/Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria

    Isaac S. Chukwu, Sebastian O. Ekenze & Uchechukwu O. Ezomike

  2. Department of Surgery, Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Parklane, Enugu, Nigeria

    Kevin E. Chukwubuike

  3. Department of Surgery, Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, Nigeria

    Samuel C. Ekpemo

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  2. Sebastian O. Ekenze
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  3. Uchechukwu O. Ezomike
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  4. Kevin E. Chukwubuike
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  5. Samuel C. Ekpemo
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by ISC, UOE, KEC and SCE. The first draft of the manuscript was written by ISC and critically reviewed by SOE and UOE. All authors commented on previous versions of manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Isaac S. Chukwu.

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Ethics approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. The study was approved by the UNTH Health Research and Ethics committee with number: NHREC/05/01/2008B-00002458-IRB00002323.

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Written informed consent was obtained from parents/legal guardians.

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Parents/legal guardians signed informed consent regarding publishing their data and photographs.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Communicated by Piet Leroy

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Chukwu, I.S., Ekenze, S.O., Ezomike, U.O. et al. Ultrasound-guided reduction of intussusception in infants in a developing world: saline hydrostatic or pneumatic technique?. Eur J Pediatr 182, 1049–1056 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-022-04765-5

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