Is Phosphate Enema Treatment Effective in Ileocolic Intussusception?

Purpose: In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic effects of phosphate enema and the factors affecting its effectiveness. We also aimed to determine the reduction rate in children diagnosed with ileocolic intussusception. Methods: The demographic and ultrasonography data and surgery reports of 41 patients diagnosed with ileocolic intussusception were evaluated in the present study. Intussusceptions with a length of 30 mm or less were regarded as short segment intussusception, whereas those larger than 30 mm were considered long segment intussusception. Phosphate enema was administered to the patients. Findings: The reduction rate with phosphate enema was 82.9%. In patients where the reduction was unsuccessful, ultrasound-guided hydrostatic reduction (4.9%) and surgery (12.2%) were performed. A statistically significant relationship between age, symptom duration, presence of blood in the stools, segment length, and phosphate enema reduction was observed (p<0.05). Conclusions: The findings suggest that phosphate enema can effectively reduce the short segment intussusception in paediatric patients with short-segment ileocolic intussusception having symptom duration of 24 hours or less and no blood in the stools.