Incidence of recurrent intussusception in young children: A nationwide readmissions analysis

J Pediatr Surg. 2020 Jun;55(6):1023-1025. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2020.02.034. Epub 2020 Feb 27.

Abstract

Background/purpose: Recurrent intussusception following successful nonoperative reduction has previously been reported with a frequency of 8%-12% based on data from individual institutions. Meanwhile, the timing of discharge after successful reduction continues to be debated. Here, we evaluate readmissions for recurrent intussusception in young children using a large-scale national database.

Methods: The National Readmissions Database (2010-2014) was queried to identify young children (age < 5 years) diagnosed with intussusception. We compared procedures performed during the index admission and frequency of readmissions for recurrent intussusception. Results were weighted for national estimates.

Results: We identified 8289 children diagnosed with intussusception during an index admission. These patients received definitive treatment with nonoperative reduction alone (43%), surgical reduction (42%), or bowel resection (15%). Readmission for recurrent intussusception was required for 3.7% of patients managed with nonoperative reduction alone, 2.3% of patients that underwent surgical reduction, and 0% of those that underwent bowel resection. Median time to readmission was 4 days after nonoperative reduction, and only 1.5% of these patients experienced recurrence within 48 h of discharge.

Conclusions: Recurrent intussusception may be substantially less common than previously reported. Our findings support the practice of discharge shortly after successful nonoperative reduction.

Type of study: Retrospective, prognosis study.

Level of evidence: III.

Keywords: Intussusception; Pediatric; Readmissions; Recurrence.

MeSH terms

  • Child, Preschool
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Intussusception / epidemiology*
  • Intussusception / pathology
  • Intussusception / therapy
  • Patient Readmission / statistics & numerical data*
  • Recurrence
  • Retrospective Studies