Mechanical basis of gastrointestinal intussusception

Abstract

Gastrointestinal intussusception can occur at any age, although it is classically described in children. Any mass within the gastrointestinal tract can precipitate the event, but two separate mechanisms exist. The first (basal) type is due to a lesion on the mesenteric border, while the second (apical) type is due to a mobile antimesenteric mass which behaves like a food bolus and forms the most aboral part of the intussusception. The occurrence of these two distinct types of intussusception appears to be related to the nature of the causal lesions which will influence the surgical strategy. © 1996 S. Karger AG, Basel.