Management and ultrasonographic appearance of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis with intravenous atropine sulfate

Challenging management of a baby with congenital multiple intestinal atresia, trisomy 18 and extremely low birth weight: a case report

BACKGROUND

Extremely low birth weight (< 1000 g) still influences postsurgical prognosis in the neonatal and infantile periods. Additionally, the life expectancy of neonates with trisomy 18 is extremely poor owing to various comorbidities. Therefore, it takes courage to perform laparotomy for the purpose of treatment of congenital multiple intestinal atresia in a baby with an unpredictable life prognosis.

CASE PRESENTATION

Fetal ultrasonography revealed cardiac malformation, intestinal dilation, and physical characteristics suggestive of a chromosomal abnormality in this case. The patient was diagnosed with trisomy 18 after birth, with an extremely low birth weight. An atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, dilated jejunum, and a very thin collapsed small intestine were found on ultrasonography. With a diagnosis of congenital small intestinal atresia, a challenging laparotomy was done at 3 days of age, with jejunal atresia and multiple distal small intestinal atresia were observed. The jejunal end and distal small intestinal stump were separated into stomas at the wound edge. Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis developed at the age of 3 months and resolved with medication. The patient gained weight (2 kg) by daily stool injection into anal side of the intestine and decompression against poor peritonitis of dilated jejunum using enteral feeding tube for the long period. Finally, we could perform intestinal reconstruction safely and successfully at the age of 9 months. Tracheotomy was performed due to difficulty in extubation associated with chronic lung disease. The patient was discharged at the age of 1 year and 3 months, and no major problems were noted at the age of 2 years.

CONCLUSIONS

We treat congenital intestinal atresia in extremely low birth weight infants with severe chromosomal abnormalities and severe cardiac malformations as follows: Stoma creation is performed quickly to avoid deterioration of the patient's hemodynamics. After that, while continuing enteric management, palliative cardiovascular surgery is performed as necessary, and the patient's body weight and intestinal tract status are determined to allow safe intestinal reconstruction.

Risk factors for unsuccessful atropine therapy in hypertrophic pyloric stenosis

BACKGROUND

I.v. atropine (IA) for infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) is a good alternative to pyloromyotomy but has not been broadly accepted. The lower success rate is one of the greatest disadvantages of IA. We investigated the risk factors for unsuccessful results following IA for IHPS.

METHODS

Medical records of patients with IHPS who were admitted to Kimitsu Chuo Hospital between 2002 and 2016 and were initially given atropine sulfate were retrospectively reviewed. Atropine was given i.v. (0.1 mg/kg/day in eight divided doses). Oral feeding of milk was started with a small amount and increased in a stepwise fashion to full feed. IA therapy was defined as unsuccessful in the presence of projectile vomiting more than three times a day or intolerance to a predetermined amount of milk.

RESULTS

Of the 48 patients with IHPS, 33 patients were successfully treated with IA and 15 patients needed surgical intervention. On univariate analysis the risk factors for unsuccessful IA therapy were younger age, lower bodyweight, and shorter duration of symptoms before diagnosis. On multivariate analysis age at diagnosis < 30 days was the only significant risk factor for unsuccessful IA therapy (OR, 5.7 l P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Age at diagnosis < 30 days is a risk factor for unsuccessful IA therapy in IHPS. This might be considered when IA therapy is used for neonates with IHPS.

Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis following persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn: a case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Although persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) and infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS) are both well-known diseases that occur in early infancy, PPHN complicated by HPS is rare. As nitric oxide (NO) is an important mediator of biological functions, on both the vascular endothelium and smooth muscle cells, the decreased production of NO might play a role in the pathogenesis of both PPHN and HPS. We present the case of a neonate who developed HPS following PPHN, including a detailed review on research published to date, and we discuss the pathogenesis of PPHN and HPS.

CASE PRESENTATION

A female neonate born at 38 weeks of gestation, weighing 3140 g, developed PPHN due to meconium aspiration syndrome. Intensive treatment with high frequency oscillations and inhaled NO were initiated, and sildenafil and bosentan were added. She gradually recovered. At 15 days of age, the patient developed recurrent vomiting after feeding and the diagnosis of HPS was made. Intravenous atropine therapy was started at 20 days of age, but the efficacy was clinically unsatisfactory. The coadministration with transdermal nitroglycerin improved the symptoms, and oral feeding was successfully re-introduced.

CONCLUSIONS

Our patient recovered from both PPHN and HPS using NO-related medications. A decrease in NO synthesis is likely to be a common pathway for PPHN and HPS.

Efficacy of Medical Treatment for Infantile Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis: A Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) is a common disease in infancy. Pyloromyotomy is universally considered the treatment for IHPS; however, oral or intravenous atropine has been reappraised for the treatment of IHPS in the past 20 years. We investigated the efficacy of atropine in the medical management of IHPS by using meta-analysis and investigated the sonographic changes of the pyloric canal, as well as the efficacy and adverse effects of atropine.

METHODS

Information was retrieved from PubMed, Ovid, and MEDLINE. The efficacy and adverse effects of atropine treatment for IHPS were reviewed using the standard process of meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Eleven articles were obtained. Five reports showed that 77 of 110 (70%) infants who were administered oral atropine benefitted by the induced remission of IHPS. Six reports showed that 288 of 345 (83.5%) patients who were treated initially with intravenous atropine then changed to oral atropine showed beneficial effects and had no serious side effects. Time to pyloric muscle normalization ranged from 5 weeks to 15 months.

CONCLUSION

The study results indicate that atropine is a possible alternative treatment for IHPS, particularly in infants with major concurrent disease, and is safe without obvious side effects.

Treating idiopathic hypertrophic pyloric stenosis with sequential therapy: A clinical study

AIM

The aim of this study was to explore the efficacy and safety of treating idiopathic hypertrophic pyloric stenosis with sequential therapy (ST).

METHODS

From January 2010 to June 2013, 49 children with idiopathic hypertrophic pyloric stenosis were divided into two groups to accept either atropine ST (ST group, n = 26) or laparoscopic surgery (operation group, n = 23). The remission rate of vomiting, complications, hospital stay and medical expenditure were compared between the two groups. The body weight and the thickness of the pyloric muscle at 6 months after the treatments were also compared.

RESULTS

The remission rate of vomiting was lower in the ST group (88.5%; 23/26) than in the operation group (100%, 23/23). The difference in the incidence rate of complications, body weight and pyloric muscle thickness was not statistically significant between the two groups. However, the hospital stay was significantly longer, while the medical expenditure was significantly lower in the ST group than in the operation group.

CONCLUSIONS

Atropine ST is safe, effective and cost-effective as compared with operation; however, the efficacy of ST is lower than operation.

Predictive factors of negative outcome in initial atropine therapy for infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis

BACKGROUND

The predictive factors of negative outcome in initial i.v. atropine (IA) therapy of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) are unknown. Conservative therapy for IHPS is useful for infants because it does not have the risk of surgical and anesthetic stress, but some cases of atropine therapy result in failure. This study clarified the predictive markers of negative outcome in initial atropine therapy for IHPS.

METHODS

Seventy-six patients with IHPS admitted from 1998 to 2011 were included in this study. The predictive risk factors of negative outcome in initial atropine therapy for IHPS were evaluated.

RESULTS

Thirty-one patients initially underwent non-operative therapy for IHPS during the study period. Of the 31 patients, 18 (58%) ceased projectile vomiting (PV) with IA and subsequent oral atropine. Univariate analysis showed that lack of bodyweight gain before treatment, elevated urine potassium at admission, and PV occurring ≥5 times (PV ≥5) in total for 3 days from IA initiation were predictive risk factors for negative outcome in IHPS. Multivariate analysis identified only PV ≥5 in total for 3 days after IA initiation as independently associated with failure of atropine for IHPS.

CONCLUSIONS

PV ≥5 in total for 3 days after IA initiation is a potential indicator of negative outcome of IA in IHPS patients. The present results provide valuable information for determining whether early surgical intervention for IHPS or initial atropine therapy is the best option.

Pyloromyotomy versus i.v. atropine therapy for the treatment of infantile pyloric stenosis: nationwide hospital discharge database analysis

BACKGROUND

Several studies have suggested that i.v. atropine has a potential role in treating infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS). It remains unclear, however, whether surgery can be replaced by i.v. therapy.

METHODS

Data were extracted on infants with IHPS who were treated with atropine and/or surgery, from a nationwide administrative database through 2006-2008. Patient demographic data, treatment effects and length of hospital stay were analyzed in each treatment group.

RESULTS

A total of 585 infants met the criteria for IHPS; 188 patients (32%) were initially treated with atropine (i.v. form, n = 180; oral form, n = 8), while 397 were treated with surgery as a first-line therapy. Of the 180 infants receiving i.v. atropine, 38 were withdrawn from medical management and subsequently underwent surgery. Thus, the overall success rate of i.v. atropine was 78.9% (142/180). Surgery had a success rate of 100%, and postoperative complications were found in 2.8% of patients (12/435). Medical management required longer hospital stay than surgery (mean, 13.5 days vs 8.0 days; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Surgery remains the suitable standard management option for IHPS, with its high success rate, minimal complications and shorter hospital stay compared with i.v. atropine therapy.

Sublingual atropine drops for the treatment of pediatric sialorrhea

Excess oral secretions or sialorrhea is a common problem affecting children and adults with neurological disorders, as well as those approaching the end of life because of a variety of underlying illnesses. Systemic anticholinergic medications are often prescribed in an attempt to improve quality of life and reduce complications; yet, response rates are variable, and a sizable proportion of patients discontinue these drugs as a result of intolerable side effects. This report describes the successful use of a local treatment, sublingually delivered ophthalmic atropine drops, to reduce sialorrhea in a child receiving palliative care. In addition, medical evidence for the safety and efficacy of traditionally prescribed systemic medications for the treatment of pediatric sialorrhea is reviewed.

Choice of Incision: The Experience And Evolution of Surgical Management of Infantile Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis

PURPOSE

This study evaluated the impact of laparoscopic pyloromyotomy since it came into use at our institution in March 1999.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The recovery profiles and intraoperative and postoperative complications of 170 infants who underwent laparoscopic, semicircumumbilical incision, or right upper quadrant incision pyloromyotomies between March 1999 and April 2005 were analyzed.

RESULTS

Eighty-one (48%) of operations were undertaken laparoscopically, 51 (30%) by traditional right upper quadrant incision, and 38 (22%) by semicircumumbilical incision. Patient group demographics were similar across all groups. There was no significant difference in overall complication rate between procedures: laparoscopic group, 12.3% (10/81); semicircumumbilical incision group, 18.4% (7/38); and right upper quadrant incision group, 9.8% (5/51). Early in the laparoscopic series there were 2 inadequate pyloromyotomies and 2 conversions to open procedures due to perforation (n = 1) and poor visibility (n = 1). Infections were more common with open surgery: laparoscopic, 1.2% (n = 1), right upper quadrant incision, 7.8% (n = 4), and semicircumumbilical incision, 13.2% (n = 5). Operative correction was required for herniation at 3 laparoscopic incision sites (3.6%), 2 semicircumumbilical incision sites (5.3%), and 2 right upper quadrant incision sites (3.9%). Patients who underwent laparoscopy returned to full feeds faster (laparoscopic, 18.1 hours; right upper quadrant incision, 28.1 hours; and semicircumumbilical incision, 28.9 hours) (P < 0.05), required less analgesia (laparoscopic, 2.1 doses; right upper quadrant incision, 4.0 doses; and semicircumumbilical incision, 4.3 doses) (P < 0.05), and had less emesis (laparoscopic, 1.6 episodes; right upper quadrant incision, 2.9 episodes; and semicircumumbilical incision, 3.5 episodes) (P < 0.05), resulting in faster discharge (laparoscopic, 2.0 days; right upper quadrant incision, 3.1 days; and semicircumumbilical incision, 3.2 days) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic pyloromytomy is as effective and safe as open procedures and is associated with an improved recovery profile. We conclude that, where laparoscopic skills exist, laparoscopy should be the management of choice for hypertrophic pyloric stenosis.

Intravenous Atropine Treatment in Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis: Evaluation by Clinical Course and Imaging

Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS) is the principal disease to consider in neonates presenting with frequent projectile vomiting and poor weight gain. Ramstedt pyloromyotomy is commonly used for the surgical treatment of HPS. The present study investigated the efficacy of nonsurgical medical treatment using intravenous administration of atropine and the examined the clinical course and results of ultrasonography and a contrast upper gastrointestinal series. A 34-day-old girl was admitted with chief complaints of projectile vomiting and poor weight gain. HPS was diagnosed on the basis of the clinical course and results of imaging studies. After intravenous administration of atropine, projectile vomiting resolved and weight increased without complications. On imaging studies, barium introduced into the stomach by tube rapidly entered the duodenum after atropine administration. Ultrasonography initially showed no reductions in hypertrophic muscle in the pyloric region, but gradual reductions were identified in subsequent months.

Conservative treatment of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis with intravenous atropine sulfate does not replace pyloromyotomy

Pyloromyotomy as described by Weber and Ramstedt has been the standard therapy for infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis since the 1960's and conservative therapy has been abandoned. The objective of this study was to test the effectiveness of systemic atropine applied intravenously for 7 days as a conservative therapeutic strategy and as an alternative to primary operation. Forty-two consecutive term infants with infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis were enrolled in the study over a period of 5 years. After confirmation of the diagnosis they all received intravenous atropine at a dose of 0.04 mg/(kg day) and increased by 0.01 mg/(kg day) up to 0.12 mg/(kg day), given as 6-8 single doses per/day. Nine pairs of parents requested that their child should be operated before completing the 7 days of medical therapy. Surgery was necessary in 8 of the remaining 33 infants (24,.2%) who did not improve after 7 days of conservative treatment. Successful treatment with i.v. atropine sulfate was achieved only in 25/33 term infants at an average maximal dose of 0.11 mg/(kg day), without any major side effects. Intravenous atropine sulfate has been considered as a potential alternative therapeutic strategy in the treatment of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. Clinical improvement however was often not seen before the 6th or 7th day of intravenous treatment. A success rate for the conservative approach of only 75% at day 7 in our study does not favour atropine therapy, in view of success rates above 95% with surgical repair.

Medical treatment of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis: should we always slice the "olive"?

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Laparoscopic pyloromyotomy has recently gained wide acceptance as the optimum treatment of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS). However, medical treatment may be superior to laparoscopic surgery in invasiveness. The efficacy of our regimen of intravenous atropine therapy for IHPS was assessed in comparison with surgical treatment.

METHODS

Medical treatment was initially chosen for 52 (61%) of 85 infants with IHPS at our institute between 1996 and 2004. Atropine was given intravenously at 0.01 mg/kg 6 times a day before feeding. When vomiting ceased and the infants were able to ingest 150 mL/kg per day of formula after stepwise increases in the feeding volume, they were given 0.02 mg/kg atropine 6 times a day orally, and the dose was decreased stepwise.

RESULTS

Of the 52 patients, 45 (87%) ceased projectile vomiting with treatment using intravenous (median, 7 days) and subsequent oral (median, 44 days) atropine administration. The median hospital stay was 13 days (6-36), and no significant complications were encountered during atropine therapy. The remaining 7 patients required surgery. Of 40 who underwent surgery, 4 had wound infections and 1 with hemophilia had postoperative hemorrhagic shock. The patients who underwent successful atropine therapy had body weights comparable with those who underwent surgery at the age of 1 year.

CONCLUSIONS

The high success rate of intravenous atropine therapy for IHPS suggests that this therapy is an effective alternative to pyloromyotomy if the length of the hospital stay and the necessity of continuing oral atropine medication are accepted.

Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis in infants: US evaluation of vascularity of the pyloric canal

PURPOSE

To determine if there is increased flow to the pylorus in infants with hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS) and, if so, whether the flow is localized to the muscle layer, mucosal layer, or both.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seventy-five infants examined for clinical suspicion of HPS were prospectively recruited for the study. Color scale was standardized at 4.2-4.4 cm/sec. Color Doppler flow at ultrasonography (US) was graded as follows: Grade 1 meant no signal; grade 2, two to five flow signals; and grade 3, extensive or continuous flow. Flow to the muscle or mucosal layer was documented and confirmed with spectral analysis. Infants without HPS served as control patients. Descriptive analyses were conducted to assess the demographic data and US results. Significance was assessed with chi2 or t tests. P <.05 was considered to indicate a significant difference.

RESULTS

HPS was present in 41 infants with a mean age of 5 weeks +/- 2.0 (SD). Their mean flow grade was 2.80 +/- 0.4 in muscle and 2.88 +/- 0.4 in mucosa. HPS was not present in 34 infants with a mean age of 5.9 weeks +/- 4.5. Their mean flow grade was 1.26 +/- 0.5 in muscle and 1.15 +/- 0.5 in mucosa (P <.001). There was no significant difference in flow grades when the dimensions of the pyloric muscle and mucosa were compared. There was no significant difference in age between the HPS and control patient groups.

CONCLUSION

Increased flow accompanies and may conceivably represent an integral component of the changes that occur with infantile HPS.

Congenital hypertrophic pyloric stenosis

Congenital hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, an important cause of intractable vomiting in infants is diagnosed clinically and confirmed ultrasonographically. Other useful interventions are plain radiography and barium study. Differential diagnosis includes pylorospasm and gastroesophageal reflux. Management protocol includes correction of dehydration and electrolyte imbalance and either Fredet Ramstedt pyloromyotomy or medical treatment with atropine sulphate. Atropine is initially given intravenously till vomiting is controlled and then orally at double the effective i.v. done for another 3 weeks. Atropine sulphate is generally well tolerated and side effects are few like tachycardia, raised SGPT and hyperthermia. Atropine sulphate is very effective, cheap, safe and perhaps more acceptable treatment option for CHPS.

Intravenous atropine treatment in infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis

AIMS

To assess the efficacy of a new regimen of intravenous atropine treatment for infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) with special reference to regression of pyloric hypertrophy.

METHODS

Atropine was given intravenously at a dose of 0.01 mg/kg six times a day before feeding in 19 patients with IHPS diagnosed from radiographic and ultrasonographic findings. When vomiting ceased and the infants were able to ingest 150 ml/kg/day formula after stepwise increases in feeding volume, they were given 0.02 mg/kg atropine six times a day orally and the dose was decreased stepwise.

RESULTS

Of the 19 infants, 17 (89%) ceased projectile vomiting after treatment with intravenous (median seven days) and subsequent oral (median 44 days) atropine administration. The remaining two infants required surgery. No significant complications were encountered. Ultrasonography showed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in pyloric muscle thickness, but no significant shortening of the pyloric canal after completion of the atropine treatment. The patients exhibited failure to thrive at presentation, but were thriving at 6 months of age (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

This atropine therapy resulted in satisfactory clinical recovery. Pyloric muscle thickness was significantly reduced.

Pyloromyotomy versus atropine sulfate for infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis

PURPOSE

Atropine sulfate (atropine) and pyloromyotomy were compared for managing infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS).

METHODS

From 1996 to 1998, cases of IHPS treated surgically (pyloromyotomy; n = 20) or medically (atropine; n = 14) at separate institutions were compared retrospectively with regard to status on presentation, physical symptoms and signs, progress, and costs. Atropine was given orally, then intravenously if ineffective. Refractory cases were referred for pyloromyotomy.

RESULTS

All subjects were matched for clinical and physiological status on admission. Oral atropine alone was effective in 11 cases, was converted to intravenous atropine in 2 cases, and was terminated in 1 case because of hematemesis. Two cases were referred for pyloromyotomy. All pyloromyotomies were successful. Atropine took on average, 2.6 days to take effect. The difference in time taken for normalization of pyloric muscle thickness between the 2 groups was not significant. Average time to return to full feeding was longer in the atropine group (P<.01). Costs were lower in the atropine group (P<.01). There were 2 wound infections in the pyloromyotomy group, but no adverse effects of atropine. There were no recurrences in either group.

CONCLUSION

This study provides reasonable evidence to support a trial of atropine in IHPS.

Smooth muscle cell hypertrophy versus hyperplasia in infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis

Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) is characterized by hypertrophy of the pyloric muscle. It is not clearly understood whether pyloric muscle enlargement is due to hypertrophy (increase in cell size) or hyperplasia (increase in cell number). In the present study, we investigated proliferative activity as well as size and number of smooth muscle cells to understand the mechanism of pyloric muscle enlargement in IHPS. Full thickness muscle biopsy specimens were obtained from 18 IHPS patients at pyloromyotomy and from 11 age-matched controls. Formalin-fixed paraffin sections were immunostained with MAb MIB-1, which stains cells in the proliferating phase of the cell cycle. The proliferative index (PI) was calculated as the percentage of positive cell nuclei. Smooth muscle cell number per bundle and cell size were measured with an image analyzer. The mean PI in IHPS (9.6 +/- 5.7%) was significantly higher than that of controls (1.3 +/- 1.2%) (p < 0.01). There was a significant inverse correlation between PI and age at operation. Smooth muscle cell number per bundle in IHPS (240.6 +/- 129.4) was significantly greater than that of the controls (134.1 +/- 49.8) (p < 0.05). Smooth muscle cell size in IHPS (298.5 +/- 59.0 microm2) was also significantly greater than that of controls (154.3 +/- 21.5 microm2) (p < 0.01). Our findings suggest that hypertrophy-and hyperplasia as well-play important roles in increasing pyloric smooth muscle mass in IHPS.