What is pyloric stenosis?
The pyloric sphincter is the valve that controls the passage of food from the stomach into the intestines (see figure 1). Pyloric stenosis is caused by the valve muscle thickening. This usually results in your baby vomiting soon after a feed. Often the vomiting is forceful (projectile vomiting). Because most of the goodness from a feed is absorbed into the body after the food has passed through the stomach, your baby will become dehydrated and lose salts. This can be life-threatening and needs to be treated promptly.
What are the benefits of surgery?
Your baby should be able to feed normally after about two days.
Are there any alternatives to surgery?
If your baby is dehydrated, your surgeon may recommend giving them fluid and salts through a drip (small tube) in a vein but this will not treat pyloric stenosis.
Surgery is the most dependable way of treating pyloric stenosis.
What does the operation involve?
Your surgeon will need to stabilise your baby’s fluid and salt levels using a drip.
The operation is performed under a general anaesthetic and usually takes about an hour. Your surgeon will make a cut on the upper abdomen. They will split the pyloric muscle and spread it apart to open the passage into the intestines.
What complications can happen?
1 General complications
- Pain
- Bleeding
- Infection of the surgical site (wound)
- Unsightly scarring
2 Specific complications
- Vomiting after the operation
- Making a hole in the lining of the stomach
- Wound breakdown
- Developing a hernia in the wound
How soon will my baby recover?
Your surgeon will tell you when you should start to feed your baby again.
You will usually be able to take your baby home after three to four days.
Your baby should gradually return to normal feeding. Have them weighed regularly.
Most babies make a good recovery. However, pyloric stenosis can come back.
Acknowledgements
Author: Mr Shailinder Singh DM FRCS (Paed. Surg.), Mr Simon Parsons DM FRCS (Gen. Surg.), Miss Glynda Preston RGN RSCN and Mr Jonathan Sutcliffe FRCS
Illustrations: Medical Illustration Copyright © 2013 Medical-Artist.com
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EIDO Healthcare Ltd
Last updated:
June 2015
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