BACKGROUND/ PURPOSE: Recurrent intussusception following successful nonoperative reduction has previously been reported with a frequency of 8%-12% based on data from individual institutions. Meanwhile, the timing of discharge after successful reduction continues to be debated. Here, we evaluate readmissions for recurrent intussusception in young children using a large-scale national database. METHODS: The National Readmissions Database (2010-2014) was queried to identify young children (age < 5 years) diagnosed with intussusception. We compared procedures performed during the index admission and frequency of readmissions for recurrent intussusception. Results were weighted for national estimates. RESULTS: We identified 8289 children diagnosed with intussusception during an index admission. These patients received definitive treatment with nonoperative reduction alone (43%), surgical reduction (42%), or bowel resection (15%). Readmission for recurrent intussusception was required for 3.7% of patients managed with nonoperative reduction alone, 2.3% of patients that underwent surgical reduction, and 0% of those that underwent bowel resection. Median time to readmission was 4 days after nonoperative reduction, and only 1.5% of these patients experienced recurrence within 48 h of discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Recurrent intussusception may be substantially less common than previously reported. Our findings support the practice of discharge shortly after successful nonoperative reduction. TYPE OF STUDY: Retrospective, prognosis study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.
BACKGROUND/ PURPOSE: Recurrent intussusception following successful nonoperative reduction has previously been reported with a frequency of 8%-12% based on data from individual institutions. Meanwhile, the timing of discharge after successful reduction continues to be debated. Here, we evaluate readmissions for recurrent intussusception in young children using a large-scale national database. METHODS: The National Readmissions Database (2010-2014) was queried to identify young children (age < 5 years) diagnosed with intussusception. We compared procedures performed during the index admission and frequency of readmissions for recurrent intussusception. Results were weighted for national estimates. RESULTS: We identified 8289 children diagnosed with intussusception during an index admission. These patients received definitive treatment with nonoperative reduction alone (43%), surgical reduction (42%), or bowel resection (15%). Readmission for recurrent intussusception was required for 3.7% of patients managed with nonoperative reduction alone, 2.3% of patients that underwent surgical reduction, and 0% of those that underwent bowel resection. Median time to readmission was 4 days after nonoperative reduction, and only 1.5% of these patients experienced recurrence within 48 h of discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Recurrent intussusception may be substantially less common than previously reported. Our findings support the practice of discharge shortly after successful nonoperative reduction. TYPE OF STUDY: Retrospective, prognosis study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.