Treating Pyloric Stenosis Medically in a Resource Poor Setting

Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders requiring abdominal surgery in infancy. Whilst the operation is relatively routine and complications are low in developed countries, in resource poor settings, the condition can be fatal due to lack of paediatric surgeons and neonatal aneasthetists in most hospitals. However, current WHO guidance advises only to refer urgently for paediatric surgery if available. In this case report we present a case of pyloric stenosis in a medium sized (district, 150 beds) hospital in Tanzania. The case was managed medically given the lack of paediatric surgery possibilities and availability of transfer. The patient was successfully managed with Atropine. We propose medical management of pyloric stenosis could be an effective solution for the condition in resource poor countries.