Pyloroplasty

Alternative Names: Pyloromyotomy; Pyloric stenosis repair; Pyloroplasty

Pyloroplasty is a surgical procedure to widen the opening in the lower part of the stomach (pylorus) so that the stomach contents can empty into the small intestine (duodenum).

The pylorus is a thick, muscular area. When it thickens, food is not able to pass through.

See: Pyloric stenosis

Description of Procedure

The surgery is done while you are under general anesthesia (asleep and pain-free). The surgeon makes a cut around the belly button or in the upper right part of the belly. If the surgery is done laparoscopically, three smaller cuts are used.

The surgery involves cutting through some of the thickened muscle to relieve the narrowing (stenosis). The cut through the muscle is then closed horizontally to keep the pylorus open and allow the stomach to empty.

The surgery usually takes 1 - 2 hours.

Risks of Pyloroplasty

Risks of anesthesia include the following:

• Reactions to medications
• Problems breathing

Risks of any operation include the following:

• Bleeding
• Infection

Risks of this procedure:

• Damage to the intestine
• Hernia
• Leakage of stomach contents
• Long-term diarrhea
• Malnutrition
• Tear in the lining of surrounding organs (mucosal perforation)

Review Date: 11/5/2010
Reviewed By: Shabir Bhimji MD, PhD, Specializing in General Surgery, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Midland, TX. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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