Abstract Thirty-two cases are reported of intussusception occurring in patients over the age of 12 years, diagnosed in Papua New Guinea in the 8 years from March 1973. Malignant disease was found in only 2 patients (6·3 per cent), and in 21 cases (65·5 per cent) no associated pathology was detectable. Benign inflammatory polypi were encountered in 7 patients (22 per cent). A high proportion of primary intussusceptions is characteristic of series reported from tropical countries. Many may be due to the abnormal motility associated with acute diarrhoeal illnesses. Due to the rarity of associated malignancy a policy of conservative operative management is justifiable in a tropical environment.