Nonavailability of ultrasound: Try stethoscope in pneumatic reduction

• Published in: Journal of Indian Association of Pediatric Surgeons Vol. 25; no. 2; pp. 76 - 79
• Main Authors: Tanger, Ramesh, Singh, Aditya, Gupta, Arun, Barolia, Dinesh, Shukla, Arvind
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Wolters Kluwer India Pvt. Ltd 01-04-2020; Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd; Wolters Kluwer - Medknow; Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
• Subjects: Abdomen; Air leakage; Anesthesia; Catheters; Diagnostic imaging; Gangrene; intussusception; Laparotomy; Original; Patients; pneumatic; reduction; stethoscope; Success; Surgery; Ultrasonic imaging; Ultrasound imaging; pneumatic; reduction; stethoscope; Intussusception
• ISSN: 0971-9261; 1998-3891
• DOI: 10.4103/jiaps.JIAPS_129_18

Aim and Objective: This study aimed to finding alternative ways for centers with nonavailability of ultrasonography or fluoroscopy for nonoperative pneumatic reduction of intussusceptions.
Materials and Methods: A total of 48 cases of intussusceptions were included in the study in-between October 2016 and March 2018. We tried stethoscope-guided pneumatic reduction using locally assembled equipment. The intraluminal pressure was monitored and maintained below 100 mmHg. A total of two attempts of 3 min each were allowed. We compared our results with the control group who have been performing laparotomy for every case of intussusception.
Results: There were 35 males and 13 females in our study. The average age of the patients was 7.5 months. Intussusceptions were reduced in 38 (80%) patients but could not be reduced in 10 (20%) patients. Majority of the intussusceptions had symptoms of at least 2 days. There were no complications such as perforation in our study.
Conclusion: Stethoscope-guided pneumatic reduction seems to be a feasible and alternative effective method for the treatment of intussusceptions in children where availability of ultrasonography and skilled radiologist with overburden of work is a great issue.