[Treatment of intestinal invagination with particular emphasis on reduction by colonic insufflation. Report on 5110 cases].

The author reports 5110 cases of intussusception in infancy and childhood treated during the last 21 years. He makes a complete analysis on age, sex and seasonal frequency of 1597 cases met in the first six year period (1960 to 1965). Then, a statistic of 4 chief symptoms of 1000 consecutive cases under two years of age is given: abdominal pain 95,2%, vomiting 91,7%, bloody stool 83,3%, and sausage-shaped mass 73,6%. Among 5110 cases, only 512 were laparotomized, there were demonstrable organic causes in 22 cases. The method of reduction by colonic insufflation is described in detail step by step, with its indications, counterindications and possible complications. The author also presents his air insufflation apparatus with automatic control of the intracolonic pressure. Finally, he emphasizes the advantages of this method: of 4841 cases submitted to colonic insufflation, complete reduction was achieved in 4598, i.e. 94.98%, the rate of reduction is higher than that of barium enema. Thus, this method greatly decreased the need of operation, and consequently reduce the mortality and morbidity of the disease. Reduction of intussusception by colonic insufflations performed ambulatory and at a very low cost.