Beware of abdominal pain in children! A silent danger: Intussusception
Writhing abdominal pain following diarrhea, vomiting, the sensation of a "sausage-like" mass in the abdomen, and the appearance of bloody stools that resemble strawberry jelly over time may be signs of intussusception. In this case, a pediatric surgeon should be consulted immediately. If left untreated, gangrene of the intestines can develop, and the child's general condition can deteriorate rapidly. Blood tests, plain abdominal X-rays, and abdominal ultrasounds are helpful in making the diagnosis. Once the diagnosis is made, oral feeding is stopped, a gastric tube is placed, fluid and electrolyte therapy is initiated, and the patient is closely monitored.
Treatment primarily focuses on monitoring whether the intussusception resolves spontaneously. If it doesn't, radiology-guided hydrostatic or pneumatic reduction methods are used. These procedures require the collaboration of a pediatric surgeon and an experienced radiologist. In rare cases, intestinal perforation may occur, and surgical intervention may be necessary. Surgery can be performed laparoscopically or openly. In laparoscopy, if the intestinal circulation is healthy, the procedure ends there. In open surgery, the intertwined intestines are manually opened; if circulation is impaired, the section is removed, and the healthy ends are reconnected.
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