Recurrence Rates of Pediatric Gastrojejunostomy Tube–Related Intussusceptions: Immediate Tube Exchange versus a Period of Bowel Rest

Abstract

This study compared the recurrence rate of gastrojejunal tube–related intussusceptions managed with temporary tube removal for “bowel rest” versus immediate tube exchange. The secondary aim was to compare the time to recurrence between the 2 management groups. A total of 92 episodes in 56 pediatric patients were analyzed, with demographics, tube characteristics, and interventions recorded. Recurrence rates were compared using the chi-square test, and time to recurrence was analyzed with the Kaplan-Meier method. The median age was 23 months (range, 2–184 months), the median weight was 10.9 kg (range, 3–36 kg), and 51.1% of episodes occurred in females. Fifty-three percent of recurrences occurred in the bowel rest group, and 47% occurred in the immediate reinsertion group. No statistically significant difference was found in the recurrence rates (P = 1.000) or time to recurrence (P = .364). The findings indicate that immediate tube exchange may be an equivalently effective management strategy as bowel rest in clinically stable patients.