2002 Volume 35 Issue 4 Pages 440-444
We report a case of intussusception induced by an indwelling ileus tube inserted to decrease pressure following ileus colon cancer surgery. A 52-year-old woman admitted for abdominal pain and vomiting had an ileus tube inserted due to suspected intestinal obstruction and leftcolectomy conducted for colon cancer. The tip of the ileus tube inserted in the end of the ileum with the balloon released, and the tube removed on postoperative day (POD) 4 after flatus was confirmed. That night, she experienced vomiting and distension and tenderness in the left abdomen. From enterography at tube reinsertion, we diagnosed postoperative intussusception of the jejunum. Operative findings showed 3-cylindrical antegrade intussusception, which we reduced manually, with no tumor, adhesion, twisting, or blood circulation disorder at the site. Since this case was antegrade and extension of the jejunum immediately before ileus tube removal was consistent with the intussusception site, we concluded that intussusception occurred during tube indwelling, base on operative findings and the position of the ileus tube, intussusception occurred when spasmodic constriction of the circular muscle due to peristalsis of the adoral jejunum impacted on the relaxed anal jejunum.
