Role of Ultrasound Guided Pneumatic Reduction of Intussusception in Children Under 3 Years with Early Presentation

Background: Intussusception remains the most common cause of intestinal obstruction in children under 3 years of age. Objective: To evaluate the role of ultrasound guided pneumatic reduction of intussusception in children under 3 years with early presentation. Methods: This prospective interventional study was carried out at the Department of Pediatric Surgery in Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka from July, 2020 to June, 2022 for a period of 24 months. A total number of 22 patients with intussusception scheduled for Ultrasound Guided Pneumatic Reduction procedure to reduce intussusception were enrolled for this study after fulfilling the selection criteria. After Ultrasound Guided Pneumatic Reduction, patients were evaluated with duration of reduction, hospital stay and mass existence. Results: The mean age of the patients was 1.28 ± 0.83 years, ranging from 4 months to 3 years. Of them, 54.5% were below or equal to 1 year and the rest, 45.5% were above 1 year. All patients had abdominal pain and 86.4% palpable abdominal mass. Most of the mass situated at right hypochondrium (59.1%). The mean duration of reduction was 6.45 ± 1.29 minutes, ranging from 4 to 8 minutes. The mean duration of hospitalization was 15.90 ± 1.57 hours, ranging from 14 to 18 hours. In 9.1% of cases, the mass remained after the procedure. Conclusion: Intussusception can be effectively treated using pneumatic reduction, which is also quicker, less messy, and risk-free.