Laparoscopic versus open pyloromyotomies: Outcomes and disparities in pyloric stenosis

Pyloromyotomy for hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS) is one of the most common non-elective operations performed in the neonatal period. This project aims to explore outcomes of pyloromyotomy and compare differences between laparoscopic versus open pyloromyotomies in newborns diagnosed with HPS.

The Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD) from 2010 to 2014 was queried to identify patients diagnosed with HPS that underwent repair.

In total, 30,915 children (18% female) underwent pyloromyotomy for HPS. Median length of stay for index admission was 2 days. A total of 212 (0.7%) patients required a redo pyloromyotomy. 127 (60%) were performed during index admission. Readmission rate at 30 days was 3% and 5% at one year, and 22% presented to a different hospital. The most common indications for readmission were feeding intolerance (24%), dehydration (10%), and malnutrition (10%). Patients from low-income households were more likely to present with malnutrition and weight loss (9% vs 4%, p<0.001) and had higher readmission rates (8% vs 4%, p<0.001). Laparoscopic pyloromyotomies accounted for 10% (n = 2951) of cases. Those undergoing laparoscopy were less likely to have electrolyte disturbances (41% vs 54%, p<0.001) or weight loss (2% vs 11%, p<0.001) on admission. The rate of open conversion was 1%. Intraoperative perforation was not more common in laparoscopic than open cases. Open pyloromyotomies had higher 30-day readmission rates and more surgical site infections.

Complications from pyloromyotomies are rare. Although infrequent, the incidence of incomplete pyloromyotomy is higher than previously reported and more common with open approaches. Newborns from low-income households are more likely to present with advanced symptoms and have disproportionately higher rates of readmission.

Level III TYPE OF STUDY: Treatment Study, retrospective.