It is a serious intestinal obstruction that occurs as a result of one part of the intestine sliding into the other part like a telescope. Food cannot move through the intestines. It is the most common and serious cause of intestinal obstruction in babies aged 6-9 months.
What are the findings?
The most common symptom is that a previously healthy baby who had no complaints suddenly and intermittently feels pain, becomes restless and cries. Even though colic in the intestines may be confused with gas pain at first, the gas pain goes away because it continues at frequent intervals and for a long time. Babies and children strain, pull their feet towards their stomach, become restless and cry loudly. When the pain subsides, the baby becomes cheerful again, but over time, he becomes tired and depressed. Vomiting usually starts after the pain. Although the stool is normal at first, it turns into bloody stool over time. The product is light or dark red in color with a jelly consistency. During physical examination, a sausage-like structure is detected in the abdomen, interlocking with each other and turning into a mass.
How is the diagnosis made?
Diagnosis is made with blood tests and imaging methods at the hospital. Abdominal x-ray shows findings related to intestinal obstruction. Abdominal ultrasonography has a very important place in the diagnosis of intussusception. Diagnosis is made when the typical appearance of the invaginated intestine is detected.
Intestinal film is performed by injecting air or barium into the intestines through a catheter inserted from the anus. The point where air or barium does not advance and is interrupted is the part where intussusception ends. The intestines slowly come out of each other under the pressure of air or liquid. This process is done over a long period of time and with patience; uncontrolled increase in pressure causes the intestine to burst and perforate. If there is no progress after a certain point, wait for 5-10 minutes and if there is no progress, this process is terminated.
With the help of colon radiography, the intestines can be completely removed from each other, which means that both the diagnosis and the treatment are over. However, if there is no progress, the intestinal obstruction cannot be relieved and surgery must be corrected. Rarely, intussusception may occur again within 24 hours after intestinal recovery with air or barium.
The surgery is performed under general anesthesia while your child is fully asleep.
After the surgery, oral feeding cannot be done until the intestines work, so liquid antibiotics and painkillers are continued through the vein. After gas and stool are passed, oral feeding is started. First, liquid foods are fed, then solid foods. After the abdominal symptoms completely resolve, the patient is sent home. This usually takes between 3-6 days. He/she can take a bath 7 days after the surgery. If there is pain, redness, swelling or discharge in the surgery area, you need to consult a doctor again.
If the intestinal obstruction is relieved by administering air or barium, feeding begins after the first gas and feces are passed, and your child can be discharged after 12-24 hours.
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