Ultrasound-guided hydrostatic reduction of intussusception: comparison of success rates between subspecialized pediatric radiologists and non-pediatric radiologists or radiology residents

Abstract

Ileocolic intussusception is the most common cause of intestinal obstruction in children under two years of age. Treatment in most cases is radiologically guided reduction. In Slovenia, ultrasound (US)-guided hydrostatic reduction is currently the standard of care. The purpose of this study was to compare the success rate of US-guided hydrostatic reduction when performed by subspecialty-trained pediatric radiologists, non-pediatric radiologists, or radiology residents. We retrospectively analyzed medical records of patients with ileocolic intussusception who underwent US-guided hydrostatic intussusception reduction at University Medical Centre Ljubljana between January 2012 and December 2022 (n = 101). During regular daily working hours, the reduction was performed by pediatric radiologists. After hours (evenings and overnight), pediatric radiologists, non-pediatric radiologists, or radiology residents performed the reduction procedure. Patients were divided into three groups based on the operator performing the procedure. Data was analyzed using the chi-square test. Pediatric radiologists had thirty-seven (75.5%) successful first attempts, non-pediatric radiologists had nineteen (76.0%), and radiology residents had twenty (74.1%). There was no statistically significant difference in the success rate of ileocolic intussusception reduction depending on the operator who performed the procedure (p = 0.98). No perforation was observed in either group during the reduction attempts. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that US-guided hydrostatic reduction is a reliable and safe procedure that achieves good results even in the hands of less experienced, however appropriately trained, radiologists. The results should encourage more medical centers to consider the implementation of US-guided hydrostatic reduction of ileocolic intussusception. What is Known: • US-guided hydrostatic reduction is a well-established method of treatment for ileocolic intussusception in children. • The results regarding the influence of operator’s experience with the procedure on its success rate are scarce and contradictory. What is New: • US-guided hydrostatic intussusception reduction is a reliable and safe technique that achieves similar success rates when performed by experienced subspecialized pediatric radiologists or less experienced but trained operators such as non-pediatric radiologists and radiology residents. • The implementation of US-guided hydrostatic reduction in general hospitals without subspecialized pediatric radiologists could improve patient care by increasing access to radiologically guided reduction and simultaneously decreasing the time to reduction attempts.