Clinical Analysis of the Infantile Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis

PURPOSE: Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) is a common surgical emergency of infants that exhibits clearly unique characteristic symptoms, but its etiology and pathogenesis are still obscure. The Fredet-Ramstedt pyloromyotomy has gained worldwide acceptance. The advantages of this operation are immediate solution of the problem and few complication. Cosmetically circumumbilical incision or laparoscopic pyloromytomy can be used. METHODS: Forty cases of IHPS admitted to the Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital from Jan 1997. to Dec 2002 were reviewed retrospectively. These cases underwent Fredet-Ramstedt's operation. RESULTS: The most prevalent age group was 21~30 days (10 cases: 25%), mean age was 41.4+/-9.9 days, and the males to females ratio was 4.7: 1. Among the 40 cases, 24 (60%) involved the first baby. The mean gestation age was 39.9+/-1.7 weeks and mean birth weight was 3.3+/-0.5 Kg. The mean duration of symptom was 4.1+/-1.6 days. The common symptoms were non-bile stained, projectile vomiting in all cases, an olive-shaped mass in the right upper quadrant abdomen in 21 cases (52.5%), visible peristalsis on epigastrium in 16 cases (40%), and jaundice in 1 case (2.5%). Hypokalemic alkalosis was observed in 3 cases (7.5%). The mean length and thickness of the stenotic canal, as measured in the operation, were 28.8+/-8.5 mm and 4.9+/-0.6 mm, respectively. Postoperative complications were one case each (2.5%) pneumonia, wound seroma, and recurrence. Conclusion: Fredet-Ramstedt's pyloromyotomy for IHPS is an effective operation after the correction of dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.

Clinical Study of Infantile Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis

BACKGROUND: Infantile Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis (IHPS) is one of the most common surgical problems of early infancy and one for which an eminently successful surgical treatment has been available since the work of Ramstedt in 1912. A clinical study was begun to access further the accuracy of ultrasonography in identifying hypertrophic pylorus. METHODS: This study is a retrospective clinical analysis of 31 cases of IHPS treated at the Department of Surgery of Pohang St. Mary's Hospital from Jan. 1990 to Dec. 1997. RESULTS: (1) The most prevalent age group was between 3 weeks and 8 weeks in 24 cases (77.4%), and the ratio of males to females was 5.2:1. (2) Among the 31 cases, new born babies were 21 cases (67.7%). (3) In 30 cases (96.8%), the gestational age was between 37 weeks and 42 weeks, and the birth weight was more than 3.5 kg in 21 cases (67.7%). The body weight percentile at admission was lower than the 50 percentile in 31 cases. (4) Among the 31 cases, breast-fed infants were 15 cases (48.4%), milk-fed 13 cases (41.9%), and mixed-fed 3 cases (9.7%). B type blood group was 23 cases (74.2%), and O type was 4 cases (12.9%). (5) In 4 cases (12.9%), an inguinal hernia was noted as an associated anomaly. (6) The onset of symptoms was neonatal (1 week-12 weeks) in all 31 cases, and the duration of the symptoms was between 1 week and 2 weeks in 18 cases (58.1%). (7) Non-bile stained, projectile vomiting was noted in all 31 cases (100.0%), an olive-shaped mass in right upper quadrant of the abdomen was felt in 27 cases (87.1%), and visible peristalsis on the epigastrium was noted in 25 cases (80.6%). (8) On laboratory tests, 17 patients had leukocytosis, and anemia was observed in 2 cases. Hypokalemia was observed in 9 cases (29.0%), hypochloremia in 4 cases (12.9%), and moderate to severe alkalosis (CO2 content > 25 mEq) in 7 cases. (9) Among the 25 cases, for which an the ultrasonographic evaluation was performed, the length of the stenotic canal was from 16 mm to 20 mm in 23 cases (92.0%), and the thickness of the stenotic portion was from 5 mm to 6 mm in 21 cases (84.0%). (10) All 31 cases were surgically treated by using a Fredet-Ramstedt pyloromyotomy, and the mortality was nil. The average hospitalization was 9.4 days. (11) There was 1 case of duodenal perforation and 1 case of intermittent non-projectile vomiting after the operation. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that early accurate diagnosis, adequate preoperative preparation of the fluid & electrolyte imbalance, immediate surgical correction, and scheduled careful oral feeding are important in treatment of IHPS. Ultrasonographic determination of pyloric muscle length and thickness is the most accurate of the currently available techniques. A Fredet-Ramstedt pyloromyotomy is a safe and successful surgical procedure.