Surgical Management of Intussusception in the Adult

Abstract

Controversy concerning the appropriate surgical management of intussusception in the adult prompted review of the Mayo Clinic''s experience with this uncommon entity. During the last 23 yr, 48 patients had documented intussusception: 24 instances of intussusception originating in the small intestine and 24 instances of intussusception originating in the colon. Of the colonic intussusceptions 2/3 were associated with primary carcinoma of the colon. Only 1/3 of the intussusceptions of the small intestine were harbingers of malignancy, and 70% of these lesions were metastatic. Because of these findings, resection of intussusceptions of the colon without initial surgical reduction is advocated to minimize the operative manipulation of a potential malignancy. In the patient with intussusception of the small intestine, an associated primary malignancy is uncommon. Initial reduction, followed by limited surgical resection, is the preferred treatment. Surgical resection without reduction is favored only when an underlying primary malignancy is clinically suspected.