Pneumatic Reduction For Intussusception In Children: A Retrospective Cohort Study

In pediatric patients, intussusception primarily occurs in the ileocecal region, with more than 90% of cases lacking identifiable causative factors. The invagination of bowel segments is propelled by peristalsis, leading to compromised blood flow. This venous occlusion precipitates bowel edema, and if the obstruction persists, it can progress to bowel ischemia and infarction. The incidence of intussusception in Vietnam exceeds that of any other country with available data on incidence rates. Despite variations in incidence rates, intussusception's clinical presentation and anatomical location remain largely consistent between Vietnam and other countries, suggesting a common underlying pathophysiology. Many medical centers in low- to middle-income countries (LMICs) have yet to adopt these non-surgical approaches, resulting in unnecessary surgical interventions for a significant portion of patients. At the Vietnam National Hospital of Pediatrics (NCH), air enema reduction has been a standard practice since the early 2000s. Nonetheless, there has been no comprehensive study delineating the technique of fluoroscopic-guided air-enema reduction (FGAR) at NCH, nor assessing its success rate.