Hydrostatic reduction of intussusception: the impact of high enema pressure on success rates

Purpose: The aim of this study is to analyze the effect of increasing enema pressure on enema outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study to compare the effect of increasing enema pressure on enema outcomes. The primary outcome was the success rate of reduction, while secondary outcomes included intestinal perforation and recurrence rate.

Results: From May 2017 to April 2021, a total of 531 intussusceptions in 499 patients (Group A 247 patients, Group B 252 patients) were collected. The overall success reduction rate was 97.00%. The success reduction rate in Group A was 99.20% (245/247) and 94.8% (239/252) in Group B (P = 0.004). The overall recurrence rate within 48 h after the initial enema reduction was 8.02%, and beyond 48 h was 6.41%. The recurrence rates within 48 h and beyond 48 h were 9.39% and 6.53% in group A and 7.11% and 6.69% in group B, respectively (P = 0.526). No complications were associated with the enema reduction procedure.

Conclusion: Our study has shown that using a hydrostatic pressure of 130 mmHg for enema reduction is both effective and safe, with a higher success rate and no increased risk of complications.

Level of evidence: Therapeutic study, III.