Balloon catheter dilatation for hypertrophic pyloric stenosis

Balloon dilating catheters (BDC) have provided a non-operative means of managing obstructive lesions within the gastrointestinal tract. Its potential utility in infants with hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS) was studied. Six patients with HPS underwent balloon catheter dilatation of the pylorus under the direct observation of the surgeon. The pylorus was exposed using a standard right upper quadrant incision. The BDC was passed transorally into the stomach and manipulated into the pyloric canal by the surgeon. The balloon was inflated with saline to a maximum pressure of 50 psi for 2 minutes. Four patients were dilated with a 10-mm diameter balloon catheter, and in two patients, a 15-mm balloon was used. Success was defined as the complete and longitudinal disruption of the seromuscular ring without violation of mucosal integrity. Using this criterion, none had successful pyloric dilatation. No disruption occurred in three patients, partial disruption in two. These patients subsequently underwent a Ramstedt pyloromyotomy. Complete disruption was observed in one; however, a breach of the mucosa was evident. This was repaired without incident. All seromuscular breaks occurred at the point of vascular entry along the lesser curve, presumably the weakest point of the ring. Pyloric dilatation using BDC does not reliably disrupt the muscular ring. This preliminary report recognizes that major refinements must occur before this method will supplant the time-honored surgical pyloromyotomy for HPS.