Intussusception Treatment in Turkey
About Intussusception
Key Highlights
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Addresses a critical pediatric and adult surgical emergency to prevent bowel necrosis.Specialized care from a Surgical Gastroenterologist ensures expert management of intestinal disorders.Non-surgical reduction via enema is often successful, avoiding the need for an operation.Minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery can be used for reduction or resection, leading to smaller scars and potentially faster recovery.Timely treatment effectively relieves obstruction, restores blood flow, and resolves severe symptoms like pain and vomiting.
Who is this surgery for?
- Clinical diagnosis of intussusception, often presenting with sudden onset of severe, intermittent abdominal pain, vomiting, and "currant jelly" stools.
- Confirmed diagnosis via abdominal ultrasound or CT scan showing the classic "target sign" or "doughnut sign."
- Failure of non-operative reduction using an air or hydrostatic enema.
- Signs of bowel perforation, peritonitis, or clinical shock, which are contraindications for enema reduction.
- Recurrent episodes of intussusception.
- Intussusception in adults, which often has a lead point (like a tumor or polyp) requiring surgical investigation and resection.
How to prepare
- Immediate stabilization, which may include intravenous (IV) fluids to correct dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.
- Insertion of a nasogastric (NG) tube to decompress the stomach and prevent vomiting.
- Administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics if infection or bowel compromise is suspected.
- Pre-operative blood tests and imaging studies (ultrasound/CT) to confirm the diagnosis and plan the surgical approach.
- Informed consent discussion detailing the procedure, risks, and the possibility of bowel resection.
- For non-emergent adult cases, bowel preparation may be advised if a lead point lesion is suspected.
Risks & possible complications
- Recurrence of intussusception after non-surgical or surgical reduction.
- Bowel perforation during enema reduction or surgery.
- Bowel ischemia or necrosis requiring resection, which can lead to short bowel syndrome.
- Infection at the surgical site or within the abdomen (peritonitis).
- Bleeding during the procedure.
- Reactions to anesthesia.
- Formation of scar tissue (adhesions) leading to future bowel obstructions.
- Leakage from the intestinal anastomosis (connection) if a resection was performed.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Post-operative monitoring in the hospital for pain, bowel function return, and signs of complications.
- IV fluids and antibiotics are continued until bowel function resumes.
- The nasogastric tube is removed once bowel sounds return and drainage decreases.
- A clear liquid diet is introduced first, gradually advancing to solid foods as tolerated.
- Pain is managed with appropriate medications.
- Incision care instructions are provided, and follow-up appointments are scheduled to monitor healing.
- Parents/caregivers are educated on signs of recurrence (return of pain, vomiting) requiring immediate medical attention.
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Typical hospital stay:
3-7 days
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Expected recovery time:
2-4 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering intussusception in Turkey, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in Turkey with surgical gastroenterology departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform intussusception. MediFyr helps you compare surgical gastroenterologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for intussusception compare across other countries where we have data.
Emily Ali is a 9-month-old, happy...
Emily Ali is a 9-month-old, happy baby girl who is the first child of young parents. Her mother noticed she had become unusually fussy and was drawing her legs up to her chest in pain. This was followed by episodes of vomiting and a diaper containing what looked like red currant jelly. Terrified, her parents rushed her to the Emergency Department. After an ultrasound confirmed intussusception, the Surgical Gastroenterologist recommended an air enema reduction as the first line of treatment. Emily was taken to the fluoroscopy suite where the doctor carefully administered air pressure to gently push the telescoped section of her intestine back into place. The procedure was successful, and Emily was admitted overnight for observation. She recovered quickly, her pain vanished, and she was back to her smiling, playful self within a day. Her parents went from sheer panic and helplessness to immense relief and gratitude, having witnessed a minimally invasive procedure solve what felt like a life-threatening crisis.