Intussusception

Intussusception is defined as the invagination or ‘telescoping’ of a segment of the gastrointestinal tract into the lumen of an adjacent segment. This evenience is most common at the ileocolic junction, and is secondary to increased intestinal motility. Most patients have a history of enteritis, dietary change, or recent abdominal surgery; clinical signs vary depending on location, degree and duration of obstruction. Treatment is usually surgical; manual reduction can be attempted if the intestinal wall appears viable, otherwise enterectomy may prove necessary. To prevent recurrence (reported in 6–27% of patients) an effort should be made to determine the inciting cause.