Feedback
We appreciate and encourage feedback. If you need advice or
are concerned about any aspect of care or treatment please
speak to a member of staff or contact the Patient Advice and
Liaison Service (PALS):
Freephone: 0800 183 0204
From a mobile or abroad: 0115 924 9924 ext 65412 or 62301
E-mail: [email protected]
Letter: NUH NHS Trust, c/o PALS, Freepost NEA 14614,
Nottingham NG7 1BR
www.nuh.nhs.uk
If you require a full list of references for this leaflet please email
[email protected] or phone 0115 924 9924
ext. 67184.
The Trust endeavours to ensure that the information given here
is accurate and impartial.
Deputy Sister Sarah Cobbold & MR D. Colliver, Department of Paediatric Surgery © June
2016. All rights reserved. Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. Review June 2018.
Ref: 1970/v1/0616/NCB
Intussusception
Information for
Patients and Carers
This document can be provided in different languages and
formats. For more information please contact:
Nottingham Children’s Hospital
Queen’s Medical Centre Campus
D Floor, E Block
Tel: 0115 9249924 ext 69035
This leaflet is for families of children to provide information on
what intussusception is. It intends to tell you what treatment and
care are needed.
What is intussusception?
Intussusception is a condition where one part of the bowel slides
into another part of the bowel, like a telescope. This can lead to
reduced blood flow, bowel injury and blockage. Intussusception
can happen for many reasons and is most common between the
ages of 3-18months.
Advice or Concerns
It is always best to discuss your child's condition with the
Doctor looking after them if you have any questions or
concerns.
For any further advice please contact Ward D35 on 0115 924
9924 ext. 69035
Reasons it is making your child unwell
Muscle contractions push food and drink along the gut. Despite
there being a blockage, these contractions continue, pushing
more gut into the blocked area instead of food. This is very
painful, your child will often be inconsolable and draw up their
knees. When the gut stops contracting your child will settle,
often exhausted and pale from the episode of pain.
Your child's tummy may look swollen and they are often sick
(which may be green in colour). This is due to food, fluid and
wind collecting in the stomach and gut behind the blockage.
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You may need to come back to hospital for a follow up
appointment. We will send you the date in the post.
Your child may pass stool that looks like redcurrant jelly. This is
because the gut may bleed where it is injured, stools may be
more loose mixed with blood and mucous.
Play and activity
They can become dehydrated quickly, due to vomiting, bleeding
and swelling.
Outpatient appointment
Energetic play should be discouraged for 2-4 weeks
Things to look out for
There is a small chance (5 in 100) that the following could occur:



Diagnosis
A doctor will take a medical history and examine your child.
They will need to have a blood test and an ultrasound scan.
They may also need to have an x-ray.
Infection - If the wound becomes red, swollen, painful to
touch or oozes pus, please contact your GP.
Treatment

Recurrence – This will be obvious to you as the same
symptoms develop. This can happen at any time up to the
age of about two years. The treatment is just the same. In
most cases intussusception does not happen again, the gut
returns completely to normal and there is no need for any
specific precautions or diet.
A nurse will monitor your child’s condition by regularly
recording their pulse, breathing rate, blood pressure and
temperature.

A small plastic tube called a cannula will be put into a vein,
IV fluids will be put through this to stop dehydration as your
child will not be able to have anything to eat or drink.

Antibiotics will be given into the cannula to prevent infection.

To stop the vomiting, a small tube (called a nasal gastric
tube) will be passed through the nose and into the stomach.
This will drain off the stomach and bowel contents, and ‘vent’
any air or fluid that’s built up. This will make your child feel
more comfortable, and prevent them vomiting.

Medicine will be given to reduce the pain.

When the doctors are satisfied with your child’s condition a
scan will be done.
Adhesions – Adhesions are fibrous bands that form between
tissues and organs. Any abdominal surgery carries the risk
of adhesions, and may occur months to years after the
surgery. Signs to looks out for are: Child vomiting green,
swollen tummy, child not passing stool. If this happens bring
your child to the emergency department immediately.
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There are two ways of treating intussusception. The
surgeon will decide which will be the best for your child:
Once the gut has started working (usually when less fluid is
coming up the nose tube and gurgles can be heard in the
tummy) drinks can be given.
1. Air enema
In the x-ray department air is put into the gut through a small
tube placed in your child’s bottom. This works by pushing the
telescoped part of gut back into place and clearing the blockage.
This is monitored using x-rays.
Pain relief such as paracetamol will be given to help prevent
discomfort. Some children may require a morphine infusion for
pain relief.
If the air enema is successful your child will return to the ward
and be allowed to feed/eat when they are better. If your child
continues to stay well, they will be discharged after 24 to 48
hours.
Risks
If the air enema is unable to reduce the intussusception, your
child will need an operation, under general anaesthetic.
Discharge home
2. Surgical correction
The operation is usually through an incision in your child's
abdomen, on the lower right hand side. The Surgeon will gently
push the telescoped part of the bowel back into place, clearing
the blockage. The bowel will be examined to see whether it
looks healthy and establish if there is blood flow to the affected
part.
The surgeon will remove any part of the bowel where tissue has
died due to the lack of blood flow. The amount can vary, but the
surgeon will leave as much bowel as possible.
Pain and discomfort
After the operation your child will return to the ward and continue
on IV fluids. The gut does not work for 24-48 hours following
surgery and therefore they will not be allowed to eat and drink.
The nose tube will remain in place to stop the feeling of
sickness.
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Any risks involved will be explained to you in full when you
consent to the procedures.
When your child is eating and drinking without problems, has
had a bowel movement and their Doctor and you are happy,
they will be able to go home.
It is normal for your child’s abdomen to feel sore for a while after
the operation, but we will provide you with pain relief (such as
paracetamol and ibuprofen) to take home.
Wound care
The stitches used during the operation will dissolve on their own
so there is no need to have them removed. It is important to
keep the operation site clean and dry for five days to let it heal
properly. The dressing can then be removed. It is normal for the
wound to look pink for several months.
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