Pyloroplasty—Adult
(Pyloric Stenosis Repair; Pyloromyotomy)
Pronounced: py-LOR-oh-plah-stee, py-LOR-ik stuh-NOH-sis, py-LOR-oh-MY-ah-ta-me
Definition
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 this sphincter.
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Reasons for Procedure
The pylorus sphincter can become narrowed, usually from an enlargement of the muscle. The condition is called pyloric stenosis. It can cause severe symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and dehydration. Narrowing of the pylorus can be the result of scarring from ulcers, a hiatal hernia, inflammatory diseases, or a mass, such as cancer.
Pyloric stenosis may be a serious condition. Pyloroplasty is often necessary to treat it.
Possible Complications
Problems from the procedure are rare, but all procedures have some risk. Your doctor will review potential problems, like:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Damage to intestines
- Hernia formation at the incision site
- Chronic diarrhea
Before your procedure, talk to your doctor about ways to manage factors that may increase your risk of complications such as:
What to Expect
Prior to Procedure
- Talk to your doctor about your medications. You may be asked to stop taking some medications up to one week before the procedure.
- If you have diabetes, discuss your medications with your doctor.
- Your doctor may order a laxative. This will help you clean out your intestines.
- Do not eat or drink anything after midnight.
Anesthesia
Your surgery will be done using general anesthesia. You will be asleep.
Description of Procedure
An incision will be made in the upper part of your abdomen. The pylorus will be exposed. A cut will be made in the muscle of the pylorus. 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.
If your pyloroplasty is done because you have an ulcer, other procedures may be done at the same time.
Immediately After Procedure
After the surgery, you will be monitored in a recovery area for about 1-2 hours.
How Long Will It Take?
About 1-2 hours
How Much Will It Hurt?
Anesthesia will prevent pain during surgery. Pain and discomfort after the procedure can be managed with medications.
Average Hospital Stay
The usual length of stay is 1-3 days. Your doctor may choose to keep you longer if complications arise.
Post-procedure Care
At the Hospital
You will gradually return to a normal diet. Before you go home, you will be taught how to care for your surgical incision.
Preventing Infection
During your stay, the hospital staff will take steps to reduce your chance of infection such as:
- Washing their hands
- Wearing gloves or masks
- Keeping your incisions covered
There are also steps you can take to reduce your chance of infection such as:
- Washing your hands often and reminding visitors and healthcare providers to do the same
- Reminding your healthcare providers to wear gloves or masks
- Not allowing others to touch your incision
Call Your Doctor
Call your doctor if any of these occur:
- Signs of infection, including fever and chills
- Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding or any discharge from the incision site
- Persistent nausea or vomiting
- Pain that you cannot control with the medications you were given
- Cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain
- Severe abdominal pain or vomiting blood
- Dark-colored, tarry stools or blood in the stool
If you think you have an emergency, call for emergency medical services right away.
RESOURCES:
American College of Gastroenterology
http://gi.org
Family Doctor—American Academy of Family Physicians
https://familydoctor.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Association of Gastroenterology
https://www.cag-acg.org
Health Canada
https://www.canada.ca
REFERENCES:
Dimitrios M, Geis WP, Ginalis EM, Gorcey SA, Stratoulias C. Laparoscopic pyloroplasty in idiopathic hypertrophic pyloric stenosis in an adult. JSLS. 2000;4(2):173–175.
Pyloroplasty. Encyclopedia of Surgery website. Available at: http://www.surgeryencyclopedia.com/Pa-St/Pyloroplasty.html. Accessed January 10, 2018.
6/2/2011 DynaMed Plus Systematic Literature Surveillancehttp://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T905141/Treatment-for-tobacco-use: Mills E, Eyawo O, Lockhart I, Kelly S, Wu P, Ebbert JO. Smoking cessation reduces postoperative complications: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Med. 2011;124(2):144-154.
Last reviewed November 2018 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Daus Mahnke, MD Last Updated: 12/20/2014