What does a pyloromyotomy involve?

A pyloromyotomy is a surgical procedure that specifically targets the pylorus, which is the muscular opening between the stomach and the small intestine. The condition often addressed by this procedure is hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, a condition where the pyloric sphincter becomes excessively thickened, leading to gastric outlet obstruction.

The essence of pyloromyotomy is the surgical separation or incision of the hypertrophied pyloric sphincter muscle. This separation allows for improved passage of food from the stomach into the small intestine, alleviating the obstruction caused by the thick sphincter muscle. The procedure does not involve removing any part of the pylorus or reconstructing it; rather, it addresses the problem by alleviating the tension created by the hypertrophy.

Understanding pyloromyotomy in this context emphasizes the importance of recognizing its role in addressing specific gastrointestinal disorders, particularly in infants, where hypertrophic pyloric stenosis is most commonly diagnosed.