Laparoscopy-assisted resection of ileoileal intussusception caused by intestinal lipoma

Intussusception is the second most common abdominal emergency in children. In contrast, it is rare in adults. Adult intussusception represents only 1%-3% of patients with bowel obstruction. Although 95% of intussusception in children is idiopathic, merely 7% of adult intussusception is considered idiopathic. Owing to vague symptoms and signs, the preoperative diagnosis of adult intussusception is difficult. Once adult intussusception is diagnosed, surgical intervention is indicated because about half of both colonic and small intestinal intussusceptions are caused by malignant lesions. In this paper, we describe a case of ileoileal intussusception caused by an intestinal lipoma that was diagnosed preoperatively by computed tomography scans and was treated successfully by laparoscopy-assisted surgery. The patient was discharged uneventfully 4 days after the operation. We recommend laparoscopy-assisted surgery as a feasible therapeutic option for adult intussusception.