Pyloromyotomy: What to Expect
Surgery
Prior to Surgery
- Talk to your doctor about your child’s medications/vitamins/herbs. Some may need to be discontinued prior to surgery.
- Discuss any possible bleeding disorders or other medical conditions that could impact surgery or anesthesia.
- Your baby will be given IV fluids to ensure that he/she is hydrated and that electrolyte levels remain stable.
- Blood samples are taken in case your child needs a blood transfusion.
Day of the Surgery
- Do not breastfeed or give your child formula to drink six hours prior to surgery.
- You will receive a call from the hospital about arrival time.
After Surgery
- Most infants will spend one or two days in the hospital to ensure that they can resume a normal feeding schedule with little to no vomiting.
- There will be soreness around the surgical site during the first 24 to 48 hours following surgery.
- Do not bathe your baby until at least two days after surgery. Sponge baths are recommended.
- This surgery involves a quick recovery with most babies able to hold fluids within a few hours.
Recovery: What to Expect in the Next Few Days
Most babies will recover in a few days.
Question & Answer
Below, find answers to commonly asked questions. Click each item to expand the Q&A for each section.
The Procedure
Q: What does the procedure involve?
The surgeon makes three small incisions and runs a tube with a tiny camera on the end to the surgery site. This gives clear visualization of the surgical field and allows entrance through the other ports. This also allows him to cut the enlarged outer layers of the pyloric muscle to relieve the blockage, leaving the inside lining of the pylorus intact. The surgery is typically performed with the child receiving general anesthesia.
Incisions
Q: How many incisions are made?
Three tiny incisions are made in the abdomen.
Hospital Stay
Q: How long will my baby stay in the hospital?
In most cases, babies are hospitalized for one to two days to ensure that normal feedings can resume.
Recovery Time
Q: What is the recovery time?
Most babies recover within a couple of days.
Breastfeeding
Q: How soon before my baby can resume breastfeeding or drinking formula?
As soon as the baby wakes up from anesthesia, the nursing staff begins small feedings until the baby can resume a normal feeding schedule. This normally takes 24 to 48 hours. Some babies will continue to vomit a small amount until the stomach is fully healed. This is normal.