Retrospective analysis of cases of intestinal invagination treated and followed-up at our clinic

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to present data on the diagnosis, treatment, clinical course, and outcome of cases of intestinal invagination. METHODS: Data of 11 patients treated for intestinal invagination at one center between June 2009 and July 2015 were analyzed retrospectively in terms of demographic data, etiological factors, anatomical localization of invagination, admission complaints, physical examination findings, diagnostic imaging modalities used, postoperative complications, and hospital stay. RESULTS: Of the total, 9 (81.8%) patients were female and 2 (18.2%) were male. Nine (81.8%) cases occurred due to benign causes and 2 to malignant causes. One (9%) patient had jejunojejunal invagination, 5 (45.5%) had ileoileal invagination, and 5 (45.5%) had ileocecal invagination. Right hemicolectomy-ileotransversostomy was performed in 5 (45.5%) patients and segmental small bowel resection with end-to-end anastomosis in 6 (54.5%). CONCLUSION: Intestinal invagination is a rare cause of acute abdomen in adults that may have a variety of etiologies and therefore may present with different clinical pictures. Abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting are the most common symptoms. The rate of accurate diagnosis is 30% to 35% using ultrasonography and 50% to 80% using computerized tomography. In adults, the preferred treatment is surgery. As malignant pathologies are responsible for some cases of invagination, oncological principles should be strictly observed in surgical treatment. Though a rare cause of acute abdomen and/or ileus in adults, invagination is a clinical condition that must be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis.