pyloric stenosis (adult)

Last reviewed 01/2018

An adult with pyloric stenosis presents with vomiting which is usually large in volume, not bile-stained and, if the condition is long-standing, not acidic because gastric acid secretion is reduced.

The stomach contents are not digested and the patient may recognize food that was eaten 24 or 48 hours previously. Apart from the epigastric distension, visible gastric peristalsis and a succussion splash, there may be no other abnormal physical signs.