Pyloroplasty

Definition

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

See: Pyloric stenosis

Alternative Names

Pyloromyotomy; Pyloric stenosis repair

Description

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.

Risks

Risks of anesthesia include the following:

Reactions to medications
Problems breathing

Risks of any operation include the following:

Bleeding
Infection

Risks specific to this procedure:

Leakage of stomach contents
Long-term diarrhea
Malnutrition
Tear in the lining of surrounding organs (mucosal perforation)

Review Date: 10/20/2008
Reviewed By: Christine Lee, MD, Department of Surgery, Marin General Hospital, Greenbrae, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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