Intestinal intussusception in adults-our experience and review of the literature

Abstract

SUMMARY
Intestinal intussusception in adults is usually secondary,
rather than primary as in infants. It may lead to obstruction
and even strangulation with necrosis. To present our
experience on this unusual situation and review the relevant
bibliography is the aim of this study.
A retrospective survey over the past twelve years found seven
patients with acute intestinal intussusception (median age
of 56 years, range 28 to 75), among 368 cases of operated
intestinal obstruction (1.9%). Clinical examination and
plain abdominal radiography made the pre-operative
diagnosis of obstructive ileus. The intra-operative diagnosis
of intussusception included ileo-cecal (n=4), ileo-iliac
(n=2) and jejuno-jejunal (n=1) type. Operation was
reduction with removal of the causative factor (n=5) and a
right colectomy (n=2).
The cause was carcinoma of ceacum (n=2), leimyoma of
small intestine (n=2), polyp of terminal ileum (n=2, one
in Peutz-Jeghers syndrome) and a tube of feeding
jejunostomy (n=1). All patients had an uneventful postoperative
course.
Intestinal intussusception in adults is a rare cause of
obstruction induced by various benign or malignant
intraluminal lesions. Their nature determines the kind of
operation. Key words: intestinal intussusception, invagination, intestinal
obstruction, obstructive ileus.