Comparison of postpyloromyotomy feeding regimens in infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis.

One hundred infants undergoing pyloromyotomy were studied prospectively to ascertain the optimum time at which to reintroduce feeds after operation. The babies were randomized to be fed after 4 or 18 h and were then assessed by monitoring the frequency of postoperative vomiting and the number of days taken to achieve full oral feeding. There was significantly more postoperative vomiting in the early group, while both groups required the same number of days to achieve full oral feeding. The conclusion reached was that a delay in the reintroduction of feeds until 18 h after pyloromyotomy is to be recommended.