Pyloroplasty is a surgery to correct a narrowing of the pyloric sphincter. The pylorus is a muscular area that forms a channel between the stomach and intestine. Normally, food passes easily from the stomach into the intestine through the sphincter.
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The pylorus sphincter can become narrowed. The condition is called
. It can cause severe symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and
. Children can develop pyloric stenosis early in life, often by the age of 12 weeks.
Pyloric stenosis is a serious condition. Pyloroplasty is often necessary to treat it.
Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If your child is planning to have a pyloroplasty, the doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:
Factors that may increase the risk of complications include:
Make sure your child does not eat or drink anything before the surgery as directed by your doctor.
The surgery will be done using
. Your child will be in a deep sleep.
An incision will be made in the upper part of the abdomen. The pylorus will be exposed.
The doctor will then cut through the pyloric muscle. The sphincter will be sewn back together in a way that will make the opening wider. The abdominal muscles will be sewn back together. The skin will be closed with stitches or staples.
After the surgery, your child will be monitored in a recovery area for about 1-2 hours.
About 1-2 hours
Anesthesia will block pain during the procedure. After the surgery, your child will feel pain. She will receive medicine to relieve the pain.
The usual length of stay is 1-3 days. The doctor may choose to keep your child longer if complications arise.
During your child's hospital stay, she will gradually return to a normal diet.
Before your child goes home, a nurse will teach you how to take
care of her surgical incision
Ask your doctor about when it is safe for your child to shower, bathe, or soak in water.
Be sure to follow the doctor's
After your child leaves the hospital, contact the doctor if any of the following occurs:
American Gastroenterological Associationhttp://www.gastro.org/
Familydoctor.org, American Academy of Family Physicianshttp://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home.html
Canadian Medical Association Journalhttp://www.cmaj.ca
Sleisenger and Fordtran’s Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease
, 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders; 2002.
Khatri VP, Asensio JA.
Operative Surgery Manual
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Sabiston Textbook of Surgery
, 17th ed. St. Louis, MO: WB Saunders; 2004.
Textbook of Gastroenterology
, 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott, Williams, and Wilkins; 2003.