Laparoscopic right hemicolectomy for intestinal intussuception

Abstract

Introduction

Adult intussusception is rare and usually associated with carcinoma in 50% of the cases. These have traditionally been managed using an open technique. We herein describe a laparoscopic extended right hemicolectomy in a 62-year-old lady with an intussuception secondary to a transverse colonic tumor.

Methods

The patient presented with 6 weeks of crampy, colicky, abdominal pain. Her CT scan reported intussuception of the proximal large bowel. She underwent an extended laparoscopic right hemicolectomy with primary anastomosis.

Results

Her post-operative recovery was uneventful and the histology reported a large bowel adenocarcinoma (pT4, N0, M0) with none out of 25 nodes involved.

Conclusion

When operative intervention is required, intussuception may be managed using a minimally invasive technique. However, large bowel intussuception in adults may have a malignant cause thus laparoscopic resection should only be performed by surgeons experienced in laparoscopic resections for colorectal malignancies as oncological safety must be the primary concern. This laparoscopic approach facilitates rapid recovery and earlier time to adjuvant therapy if required.