Intussusception in infancy and childhood. A 13-year review of 75 patients.

Our experience of intussusception in 75 patients has been reviewed. The average duration of symptoms from onset to diagnosis was 40 hours. Barium enema was performed in 34 patients and in only six was the intussusception reduced successfully by hydrostatic pressure. Seventy-one laparotomies were performed with no mortality. Resection was carried out in seven patients for gangrenous bowel or presence of a leading point. The main complication was that of wound infection which occurred in eight patients. Incidental appendicectomy was safe and did not increase the complication rate.