Trans-anal protrusion of intussusception

Intussusception is a common cause of intestinal obstruction in infants and toddlers. Uncommon presentation with a mass protruding from the anus is often misdiagnosed as rectal prolapse when a high index of suspicion is not maintained, with the likelihood of worse outcomes. We report the successful management of an 8 month old infant with prolapsed ileo-colic intussusception at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) which had been mistaken for rectal prolapse. We discuss how to differentiate trans-anal protrusion of intussusception (TAPI) from other prolapsing conditions and highlight the common challenges encountered in managing an infant with delayed presentation.