Pattern, presentation, and management of intussusception at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, Nigeria

Objectives: Intussusception is the most common cause of intestinal obstruction in infants. In developing countries, presentation is usually late with an attendant high mortality rate. Material and Methods: Records of children managed for intussusception at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, Bauchi State from 2013 to 2017 were retrieved. Information including the sociodemographic data, the pattern of presentation, treatment, and treatment outcomes were obtained and analyzed using tables. Results: There were 22 patients, 15 (62%) of whom were male (male-female ratio 2.1:1). Age at presentation ranged from 3 months to 14 years with a peak incidence at 7–8 months. The most common symptoms were vomiting (68%), abdominal pain (59%), and bloody stool (41%). Only 1 patient (4.5%) presented within 24 h of onset of symptoms while 13 (59%) presented after 72 h of onset of symptoms. All patients had open surgery, and ileocolic intussusception was the most common type. Ten patients (45.5%) had a manual reduction, while 12 (55.5%) had resection and anastomosis. Surgical site infection was ranked the highest post-operative complication; the mortality rate was 32%. Conclusion: Intussusception is a common cause of intestinal obstruction in infants and children in our environment; presentation is usually late. A high index of suspicion is necessary for early diagnosis and treatment to reduce the associated high mortality rate.