The efficiency and limitations of barium enema in the treatment of intussusception in infancy and childhood

Sixty-one children with intussusception were treated during a period of 7 years. A barium enema was routinely performed for diagnosis and treatment unless signs of gangrenous bowel were present. Hydrostatic reduction was successful in 50% of attempts in the idiopathic cases. There were no complications from this procedure and no recurrence of intussusception. At surgery the intussusception was found to be reduced in 6 of 32 patients; 19 underwent operative reduction; and resection was performed in 7. A higher failure rate of hydrostatic reduction was associated with older patient age, longer duration of symptoms, and the presence of a pathological leading point.