An audit of post-pyloromyotomy feeding regimens

A retrospective audit was carried out to assess patient outcome in relation to the timing of feeding after pyloromyotomy for hypertrophic pyloric sten osis. Fifty-two patients received the first feed within 8 hours of surgery and 49 patients were fed between 13 and 20 hours post-operatively. Seventy- seven per cent of patients in the early group vomited compared to 53% in th e late group. Sixty-one per cent of patients in the early group produced la rge vomits compared to 29% in the late feeding group. However, time to esta blish feeding and post-operative stay were comparable in both groups. We re commend feeding to be delayed for 12 hours after pyloromyotomy unless the p atient is distressed because of hunger in which case the parents are warned of the increased risk of vomiting.