Is intestinal intussusception easy to treat?

Written by Quan Xiang Mei
Pediatrics
Updated on May 23, 2025
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Intussusception is a common pediatric surgical condition in infancy and early childhood. It is characterized clinically by abdominal distension, abdominal pain, and the passage of jelly-like stools. Mild cases of intussusception can usually be treated in a clinical setting with an air enema under surgical guidance. However, severe intussusception, which has led to ischemia or necrosis of the intestinal mucosa, must be treated surgically. Therefore, the treatment of intussusception is not difficult, but it is crucial to avoid misdiagnosis. With timely diagnosis, the condition is relatively easy to manage with the best and most appropriate treatment, where diagnosis is the most critical aspect.

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Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
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Causes of intussusception in children

The causes of intussusception are divided into primary and secondary types, with 95% being primary, commonly seen in infants and young children. In infants, the mesentery of the ileocecal area is not yet fully fixed and has greater mobility, which is a structural factor prone to intussusception. Secondary cases account for 5%, where intussusception occurs. Some intestines show clear organic changes, such as Meckel's diverticulum, intestinal polyps, intestinal tumors, intestinal duplication anomalies, abdominal purpura, and thickening of the intestinal wall, which can cause intussusception of the intestines. Certain triggers, including dietary changes, viral infections, and diarrhea, can induce intussusception.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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Early symptoms of intussusception in children

Intussusception in children refers to a segment of the intestine telescoping into the adjoining lumen, causing an obstruction to the passage of intestinal contents. Intussusception accounts for 15%-20% of intestinal obstructions and can be primary or secondary. Generally, primary intussusception is more common in infants and young children. Early symptoms may include bloating, abdominal pain, vomiting, possibly accompanied by bloody stools, and a palpable mass in the abdomen. Moreover, intussusception can occur in multiple locations, such as jejunum into jejunum, jejunum into ileum, ileum into ileum, ileum into cecum, ileum into colon, colon into colon, etc. Among these, ileo-cecal intussusception is the most common, while small intestine into small intestine and colon into colon are relatively rare.

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Written by Sun Ming
General Surgery
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Can intussusception in the elderly be cured?

Intussusception in the elderly rarely heals on its own, and the likelihood of recovery without treatment is very small. This is because the causes of intestinal issues in the elderly are primarily benign, often due to cirrhosis or other reasons. Furthermore, intussusception may also occur due to tumors, which generally require surgical treatment. It is advised that if diagnosed with intussusception, it is best to undergo surgical treatment at a hospital to prevent recurrence. If it is due to a tumor, there is a risk of it becoming malignant and metastasizing.

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Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
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Causes of intussusception in children

The etiology of intussusception is divided into primary and secondary types, with 95% being primary, which is common in infants and young children. In infants, the mesentery of the ileocecal region is not yet fully fixed and has a larger degree of mobility, which is a structural factor conducive to the occurrence of intussusception. Secondary cases account for about 5%, often secondary to Meckel's diverticulum, intestinal polyps, intestinal tumors, intestinal duplications, and abdominal purpura causing swelling and thickening of the intestinal wall, which can lead to intussusception. Certain factors may cause a change in the rhythmic movement of the intestines leading to disorder, thereby inducing intussusception, such as changes in diet, viral infections, and diarrhea.

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Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
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Can intussusception in children cause fever?

In the early stages of intussusception, the child generally remains in good condition, with normal body temperature and no symptoms of systemic poisoning. As the disease progresses and worsens, complications such as intestinal necrosis or peritonitis may develop, leading to deterioration of the overall condition. At this point, severe dehydration, high fever, lethargy, coma, and shock, among other symptoms of poisoning, can occur. Therefore, fever can indeed appear in the later stages of intussusception.