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Pyloric stenosis

May 11, 2012

Procedure

The stomach is joined to the intestine with a muscle called the pyloric muscle. Sometimes, this muscle grows too thick and food cannot pass through. When this happens, the food can build up in the stomach. This can cause your child to throw up. This is called Pyloric Stenosis. Burping or changing your child’s formula will not stop the throwing up.

To fix this, your child needs surgery. A small cut is made in the pyloric muscle. This cut lets the muscle relax and let food pass through. Your child will have a small cut on the belly.

Incision

Your child’s cut is closed with Dermabond, Steri-Strips.

Dermabond is special glue used to close an incision. This glue will come off on its own. Do not scrub or pick at the glue. Your child may take a bath 24 hours after the surgery. After the bath, gently pat the glue dry with a towel. 

Steri-strips are special pieces of tape used to close an incision. These strips will fall off after 10-14 days from the surgery. Do not pick or pull at the steri-strips. Your child may take a bath 24 hours after the surgery.

Do not apply any medicines or creams to your child’s incision. Clean the incision each day with soap and water.

Watch your child for signs of infection. Look at your child’s incision each day. Call your doctor if:

  • The incision has more or “flaming” redness
  • The incision is warmer than the rest of the skin
  • The incision has more drainage which is green, foul smelling, or pus-like
  • Your child has a temperature of over 101 degrees F or chills
  • Your child has behavior changes, such as being more tired, fussy, or eating less
  • Your child has color changes, such as being red or pale or gray
  • Your child keeps throwing up or cannot keep food down

Activity

Your child may return to normal activity as comfortable. Keep using your child’s car seat. Keep holding your child as normal.

Diet

Your child may return to his/her normal feeding.

Pain

Your child may have some pain after surgery. If the pain is not controlled well with medicines, please call us. 

  • Follow the directions given for the pain medicine. Do not give more than the directions say.
  • Give pain medicine at routine times. Pain is harder to stop after it has started.
  • If your child needed pain medicine during the day, he may need it at night too.
  • Some strong pain medicine has Acetaminophen (Tylenol) in it. If the strong pain medicine prescribed by your doctor has Acetaminophen (Tylenol, make sure you do not give more Acetaminophen (Tylenol). Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be found in other products like cold medicines. Call us if you have a question about these medicines.