Postoperative intussusception in an infant with nephroblastoma

Abstract

We report on the case of an 11-month-old girl with postoperative intussusception after tumor resection for nephroblastoma. The patient had a distended abdomen, bilious emesis and increased nasogastric output since 2 days after the surgery. A second surgery was performed 7 days after the initial surgery because of suspected adhesive obstruction of the intestine. Intussusception was the diagnosis. A patient with postoperative intussusception, a rare complication, presents with bilious vomiting, increased nasogastric output, and abdominal distention without an abdominal mass or bloody stool. Radiological examinations, including ultrasonography are less informative for making a diagnosis. In most cases, these symptoms occur within a few weeks after surgery, and clinical symptoms resemble the adverse effects of postoperative chemotherapy or radiotherapy. These clinical characteristics make diagnosis difficult. Postoperative intussusception should be suspected in patients with prolonged bilious vomiting soon after retroperitoneal surgery.