Implementation of a care pathway for infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis reduces length of stay and increases parent satisfaction

Abstract

Introduction Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) is a common surgical condition, but there are no guidelines regarding preoperative fluid resuscitation. Our aim was to evaluate a novel consensus care pathway for IHPS, incorporating a standardized fluid and electrolyte replacement regime. Methods One hundred patients were initially reviewed and compared to thirty-three patients following the introduction of a clinical pathway, whereby infants requiring electrolyte correction received 150 ml/kg/24 h of 0.45% saline, 5% dextrose and 10 mmol KCl, with systematic blood sampling until correction was achieved. We measured time to electrolyte correction, time to surgery and total length of hospitalization. Data were described using the median and interquartile range, and differences between the groups’ categorical and continuous data were described using Chi-squared and the Mann–Whitney U–tests, respectively. Results Time in hours taken to correct electrolytes was reduced: 25(16.5–42) versus 9.5(4.5–24.75) p = 0.004. Time to surgery from admission in uncorrected patients decreased from 50(40.25–66.75) to 39(28.75–41.75) p = 0.018. Subsequently, there was a reduction in total length of stay: 94(71–93.5) versus 75(64.5–93.5) p = 0.025. Parental satisfaction increased from 77% in the pre-pathway group to 83% in the pathway group. Conclusion A consensus care pathway for IHPS reduces the time taken to correct preoperative electrolyte abnormalities, decreases length of hospitalization and improves parental satisfaction.