BACKGROUND: Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS) is a common condition affecting infants before the first three months of life. AIM: Analysis of our results and comparison with literature to determine particularities of HPS in our country. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of 142 patients presenting HPS, between 1990 and 2003. RESULTS: In this study male sex was predominant, with a sex-ratio of 3.8/1. The classical symptom of projectile vomiting was always present, a pyloric tumor was palpated in 19.7% of the cases, metabolic disturbance was noted in 44.3% of patients. The diagnosis was confirmed by ultrasonography and sometimes contrast upper gastrointestinal study. All the infants were treated surgically unless three patients dying before operation, because of a late diagnosis. Postoperative courses were uneventful in 87.4% of cases. Three patients were dead after operation, because of medical complication. CONCLUSION: The cause of HPS is unknown. The diagnosis is suggested by clinic features and confirmed by imaging. Early diagnosis prevents from metabolic complications due to vomiting. Surgical treatment allows early feeding and is associated with a low complication rate and a good long-term outcome.
BACKGROUND:Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS) is a common condition affecting infants before the first three months of life. AIM: Analysis of our results and comparison with literature to determine particularities of HPS in our country. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of 142 patients presenting HPS, between 1990 and 2003. RESULTS: In this study male sex was predominant, with a sex-ratio of 3.8/1. The classical symptom of projectile vomiting was always present, a pyloric tumor was palpated in 19.7% of the cases, metabolic disturbance was noted in 44.3% of patients. The diagnosis was confirmed by ultrasonography and sometimes contrast upper gastrointestinal study. All the infants were treated surgically unless three patients dying before operation, because of a late diagnosis. Postoperative courses were uneventful in 87.4% of cases. Three patients were dead after operation, because of medical complication. CONCLUSION: The cause of HPS is unknown. The diagnosis is suggested by clinic features and confirmed by imaging. Early diagnosis prevents from metabolic complications due to vomiting. Surgical treatment allows early feeding and is associated with a low complication rate and a good long-term outcome.