How is hypertrophic pyloric stenosis treated?
If your infant is diagnosed with this condition, he or she will likely require a bowel rest (to prevent vomiting the infant won't eat or drink) and intravenous fluid. The goal is to correct any electrolyte imbalance before surgery.
Pyloric stenosis surgery
Pediatric surgeons use a minimally-invasive technique called laparoscopic pyloromyotomy. The goal of surgery is to open the enlarged muscle that blocks the outlet of the stomach. Minimally-invasive surgery allows your child to heal faster and with less pain.
- The surgeon makes a small incision in the infant's belly button, inflates the abdominal cavity with air and then inserts a small camera to see inside the abdomen.
- Two incisions 3 mm long are made in the upper right and left abdominal wall to insert the additional instruments.
- Next, the surgeon cuts the outside of the pyloric muscle to allow the inner lining of the pyloric channel to bulge through the blockage and open the outlet of the stomach.
- Once this is done, the stomach empties into the small bowel and the digestive function returns to normal.
- Finally, the surgeon closes the incisions.
Most infants are discharged within 24 to 48 hours after surgery.
Why choose Children's Colorado for your child's hypertrophic pyloric stenosis?
Our board-certified pediatric surgeons are trained and experienced in a wide variety of minimally-invasive laparoscopic procedures, including laparoscopic pyloromyotomy. Minimally-invasive surgery reduces your infant or child’s healing time, and pain and scars.
Pediatric anesthesiologists keep babies safe
Before and during surgery, our anesthesiologists put children into a sleep-like state that keeps them pain-free. Our anesthesiologists are specially trained to care for kids who have different needs than adults before, during and after anesthesia. Before surgery, parents meet with a pediatric anesthesiologist, who will ease any concerns and answer all of their questions.