Intussusception Surgical Repair in Children
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 4, 2025.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
This surgery is used if other methods are not able to fix an intussusception.
HOW TO PREPARE:
The week before your child's surgery:
- Tell your child's surgeon about all medicines, vitamins, and supplements your child currently takes. The surgeon will tell you if your child needs to stop taking any of these before surgery, and when to stop.
- Tell the surgeon about all your child's allergies. Tell him or her if your child has ever had an allergic reaction to anesthesia.
The night before your child's surgery:
You may be told not to let your child eat or drink anything after midnight on the day of surgery.
The day of your child's surgery:
- Give your child only the medicines his or her surgeon told you to give.
- You or a close family member will be asked to sign a legal document called a consent form. It gives healthcare providers permission to do the procedure or surgery on your child. It also explains the problems that may happen, and your choices. Make sure all your questions are answered before you sign this form.
- Healthcare providers may put an IV tube into your child's vein. Your child may be given liquids and medicine through the IV.
- Anesthesia may be given to keep your child asleep and pain-free during surgery. Tell healthcare providers if anyone in your child's family has had a problem with anesthesia.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN:
What will happen:
Your child's surgeon will make an incision in the lower right area of your child's abdomen. He or she will unfold the bowel and check it to make sure it is healthy. He or she may not be able to unfold the bowel, or part of it may be diseased or dead. If this happens, the affected part of the bowel will be removed and the ends stitched together. The incision will be closed with stitches and medical tape.
After your child's surgery:
Your child will be taken to a room to rest until he or she is fully awake. Healthcare providers will monitor your child closely for any problems. Do not let your child get out of bed until his or her healthcare provider says it is okay.
CONTACT YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IF:
- Your child has a fever.
- Your child has a cold or the flu.
- You have questions or concerns about your child's surgery.
Risks
Your child's bowel may tear or get damaged. He or she may develop an infection. His or her incision wound could open and need to be repaired. The intussusception could happen again in the same place or another part of the bowel.
Care Agreement
You have the right to help plan your child's care. Learn about your child's health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your child's healthcare providers to decide what care you want for your child.© Copyright Merative 2025 Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.
The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
Further information
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