Which treatment is used to reduce telescoping of the intestine in intussusception?

• A. Laparoscopy
• B. Air enema
• C. IV antibiotics
• D. Observation

Answer: (B)

The key idea is that intussusception in children can often be treated nonoperatively with a pneumatic (air) enema guided by imaging. The air under pressure pushes the telescoped segment of bowel back into place, relieving the obstruction and restoring blood flow if there’s no perforation or significant ischemia. This approach is favored because it is diagnostic as well as therapeutic, has a high success rate, and avoids surgery.

If the enema doesn’t reduce the telescoped bowel or if there are complications like perforation or peritonitis, surgery is needed to manually reduce the intussusception or to resect any nonviable bowel. IV antibiotics aren’t used to reduce the condition, and observation alone isn’t appropriate as a primary treatment because the intussusception can progress to strangulation and perforation.