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Pyloric stenosis Q&As
Published by Bupa's health information team, November 2008.
Answers to questions about pyloric stenosis
This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.
Is surgery the only way of treating pyloric stenosis?
Yes, at the moment if your baby develops pyloric stenosis, he/she will have to have a pyloromyotomy to treat the condition.
Explanation
It's possible that in the future, other treatments may be developed so that pyloric stenosis can be treated without surgery. Studies are being carried out which suggest that it may be possible to give babies with pyloric stenosis a medicine called atropine. However, it seems that with this form of treatment babies have to stay in hospital for longer and the medicine must be continued for several weeks. More research is needed to find out if atropine is a suitable alternative treatment.
Research is also being carried out to try to identify the gene or genes that are responsible for causing pyloric stenosis. It's possible that if researchers are able to do this, new ways of treating the condition may be developed. This may also make it possible to diagnose pyloric stenosis earlier and maybe even prevent it.
Further information
Sources
- Kawahara H et al. Medical treatment of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis: should we always slice the "olive"? Pediatr Surg 2005; 40(12):1848-1851
- Projectile vomiting in newborns: the gene hunt. Action Medical Research. www.action.org.uk, accessed 17 January 2008
How do I tell whether my baby's vomiting is normal or if there is a more serious problem?
The symptoms of pyloric stenosis are quite different to those of vomiting caused by a stomach infection or overfeeding.
Explanation
If your baby has a stomach infection, he/she is unlikely to want to feed. This is different to pyloric stenosis when your baby is always hungry because he/she isn't getting any nourishment.
With pyloric stenosis, the vomiting will be much more forceful than usual. It will continue to get progressively worse over several days. You may also notice that your baby's bowel movements are different from usual and that there are fewer wet or soiled nappies.
Source
- Pyloric stenosis. UCL Institute of Child Health, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children NHS Trust. www.ich.ucl.ac.uk, accessed 17 January 2008
Are there any risks to the operation?
All surgery carries an element of risk. However, pyloromyotomy is usually a very successful operation.
Explanation
It's possible for there to be complications during or after any operation. These may include bleeding or the wound becoming infected afterwards. However, for most babies a pyloromyotomy is successful and they make a good recovery.
Your baby's surgeon will either do an open or keyhole (laparoscopic) pyloromyotomy. There is no clear evidence as to which procedure is more effective, but if a keyhole operation is done, then your baby's scar will probably be smaller.
Sources
- Paediatric papers. Surgical tutor. www.surgical-tutor.org.uk, accessed 17 January 2008
- Pyloric stenosis. UCL Institute of Child Health, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children NHS Trust. www.ich.ucl.ac.uk, accessed 17 January 2008
- Abdulmajid A et al. Laparoscopic pyloromyotomy is both safe and effective in a district hospital. Surg Endosc 2008; 22(1):151-153
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This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.
Publication date: November 2008
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