Causes of Intussusception in the Elderly

Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
Updated on January 23, 2025
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Intussusception refers to an obstruction caused by one segment of the intestine entering an adjacent segment, which can occur at any age. In adults, over 85% of intussusception cases can be attributed to organic lesions, typically tumors, but also possibly due to polyps or diverticula in the intestines. Typical symptoms of intussusception may include abdominal pain, an abdominal mass, and jelly-like bloody stool. In adults, intussusception is generally treated surgically. The surgical approach often involves exploratory laparotomy, possibly involving intestinal resection and anastomosis. For the resected part, reinforced suturing is usually required. If a primary anastomosis cannot be tolerated, procedures such as creating a stoma or exteriorizing the intestine may be performed, awaiting stabilization of the condition before further treatment.

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Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
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Symptoms of recurrent intussusception in children

5-8% of the children may experience recurrent intussusception. Enema reduction has a higher recurrence rate than surgical reduction. The manifestations of recurrence are similar to the initial episode, primarily presenting as abdominal pain, vomiting, bloody stools, or a palpable intussusceptum-like mass in the abdomen. The abdominal pain is mainly intermittent, and can last for several minutes or longer, accompanied by pale complexion. The vomitus may include curds or food residues, possibly containing bile; in later stages, it may resemble fecal matter. Bloody stools may appear as jelly-like mucoid blood.

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Written by Bai Yan Hui
Pediatrics
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Intussusception should visit which department?

Intussusception generally falls under pediatric surgery, but many children arrive at the hospital without a clear self-diagnosis of intussusception; they often come due to abdominal pain. They can visit either the internal medicine department or the surgical department. At this point, the attending physician will conduct a thorough medical history inquiry, such as a standing abdominal radiograph, abdominal ultrasonography, and physical examination, to aid in diagnosis. If a diagnosis confirms the need for surgical intervention, whether it involves air enema or surgery, it is definitely within the scope of the surgical department.

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Written by Li Chang Yue
General Surgery
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Can you drink water with intussusception?

Patients with intestinal intussusception should avoid drinking water as much as possible. Once intussusception occurs, it can lead to a complete intestinal obstruction. Drinking water at this time can easily increase the burden on the intestines, causing nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension, and a series of other problems. For patients with intestinal intussusception, an emergency intestinal barium air pressure procedure can be performed to reposition the intestines. If this fails, surgical treatment should be pursued actively. Currently, patients with intussusception can be treated with traditional open surgery to release the intussusception, or using laparoscopic interventions to resolve it. Both types of surgery are very effective in treating intussusception and typically have satisfactory outcomes.

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Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
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What department should I go to for infant intussusception?

Intussusception often occurs in infants and young children, mainly presenting with vomiting, abdominal pain, and bloody stools. The first department usually visited is the emergency pediatrics. If intussusception is confirmed, treatment may involve surgery or non-surgical reduction. Therefore, after confirming intussusception, the patient needs to be transferred to pediatric surgery or general surgery for inpatient treatment.

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Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
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Infant intussusception typical symptoms

The typical clinical manifestations of intussusception are as follows: Firstly, abdominal pain, which occurs in paroxysmal, regular episodes, characterized by sudden onset of severe colicky pain. The child appears restless and cries, with knees drawn to the abdomen, pale complexion, and relief coming after several minutes or longer; the pain reoccurs every ten to twenty minutes. Secondly, vomiting is an early symptom, initially reflexive containing milk curds or food residues, later possibly containing bile, and in the late stage, fecal-like liquid may be vomited. Thirdly, bloody stools are a significant symptom, appearing within the first few hours; initially, stools may appear normal, later becoming scanty or absent. In about 85% of cases, a jam-like mucousy bloody stool is passed within six to twelve hours of onset, or bloody stools are found upon rectal examination. Fourthly, abdominal mass is often found in the right upper quadrant just below the ribs, where a slight movable intussusception mass can be palpated, resembling a sausage.