An ultrasound at Tam Anh General Hospital, TP HCM, confirmed acute intussusception in the right hypochondrium. The bowel wall within the intussusception was still perfused; however, the small bowel loops in the left abdomen were dilated and contained a lot of gas.

Dr. Nguyen Do Trong, head of the Pediatric Surgery department, stated that the patient was suitable for pneumatic reduction, a procedure to prevent the risk of bowel ischemia and necrosis. The medical team also prepared for surgery if the procedure encountered difficulties.

After general anesthesia, doctors inserted a gastric tube and an anal tube, then performed pneumatic reduction three consecutive times to push the intussuscepted bowel segment back to its normal position.

The medical team performing pneumatic reduction for Ivan. *Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital*

Following the procedure, Ivan was monitored, received fluid replacement, and medication as prescribed by doctors. One day after the procedure, he was feeding well, no longer vomiting, and his abdomen was soft and not distended. An abdominal ultrasound showed no signs of intussusception or abnormal fluid. After three days, he was discharged.

Intussusception is a condition where one segment of the intestine telescopes into an adjacent segment, causing bowel obstruction and compressing blood vessels supplying the bowel. It is common in children aged three months to two years, especially those under one year old, and often occurs when children have respiratory infections or gastrointestinal infections.

According to Dr. Trong, pneumatic reduction is currently the preferred treatment method if detected early. Children are typically given general anesthesia to limit movement, allowing doctors to control air pressure and reduce the risk of complications.

Most cases of intussusception have no specific identifiable cause but may be associated with viral infections, increased bowel motility, or lymphoid hyperplasia.

Initial symptoms include intermittent abdominal pain, irritability, vomiting, or refusal to feed, which can be easily mistaken for digestive disorders. If treatment is delayed, children risk bowel necrosis or perforation, peritonitis, and severe infection. Doctors advise parents to seek medical attention if their child exhibits these signs. If detected and reduced within the first 24 hours, many cases can be successfully treated with pneumatic reduction without surgery.

Minh Tam

* Patient's name has been changed