post operative intussusception in children

intussusception is a common pediatric surgical emergency, but rarely seen postoperatively as a cause of obstruction. this complication occurs after abdominal, thoracic, orthopaedic and urologic operations. ileus and obstruction due to adhesion band are the common causes of postoperative obstruction, however, although intussusception is less frequent but can be serious. we have to consider this diagnosis in pediatric age group. this study was done between 1983-2000 among 10 patients with postoperative intussusception. primary operation in most cases was diaphragmatic operation (40%), and abdominal esophageal operation (20%), most being performed under the age 3 years. the interval between primary operation and initiation of symptoms and signs was less than 5 days in 60% of cases and the most common type of intussusception was ileoileal in 80% of cases. since classic signs and symptoms of intussusception are frequently absent and diagnostic tools are less helpful, high degree of suspicious is required for early diagnosis. timely operation can give excellent results.