The digestive tract runs from the esophagus to the intestines, and children can be born with or develop conditions along its length. These include pyloric stenosis, intestinal malrotation, intussusception, severe reflux, Meckel's diverticulum, and blockages. Many of these have well-established, often minimally invasive treatments.
Every child is different. These are the most common reasons families come to us.
Forceful vomiting in a young baby
Projectile vomiting after feeds in the first months of life can indicate pyloric stenosis, a thickening of the stomach outlet.
Green or yellow vomit
Bile-stained vomiting in an infant is a warning sign of a blockage and needs urgent evaluation.
Sudden crying spells with drawn-up legs
Episodes of intense pain that come and go, sometimes with jelly-like stool, can signal intussusception.
Reflux that will not respond
When medicines and feeding changes are not enough, surgery can sometimes help.
Painless rectal bleeding
A Meckel's diverticulum, a small pouch in the intestine, sometimes causes bleeding in young children.
Trouble swallowing or gaining weight
Feeding difficulties and poor growth sometimes trace back to a structural cause.
When to call, and when to go straight in
Go to the emergency room or call 911 for green vomiting in a baby, a swollen hard belly, blood in stool with severe pain, or a child who is limp, pale, or difficult to console. For persistent reflux, feeding concerns, or a scheduled follow-up, call our office.
Minimally invasive wherever it is the safest choice, and a plan you can understand and take home.
Laparoscopic expertise
Pyloromyotomy, anti-reflux surgery, and many intestinal operations can typically be done through tiny incisions with quicker recovery.
Non-surgical fixes first
Intussusception is often treated by pediatric radiologists using an air or contrast enema, with surgery reserved for cases that do not resolve.
Feeding-focused recovery
We work with nutrition specialists and your pediatrician to get feeds back on track quickly and comfortably.
Teamwork with GI
Pediatric gastroenterologists and I plan together so no child has surgery that a medical treatment could avoid.
Before
Pinpointing the cause
Ultrasound is often the first and only test needed. Contrast studies or endoscopy are added when helpful. IV fluids correct any dehydration before surgery.
Day of surgery
Targeted repair
The operation addresses the specific problem, whether widening a narrowed outlet, untwisting the bowel, or removing a small segment. Most procedures are brief.
Recovery
Feeds resume, comfort returns
Babies often start feeding within hours after pyloromyotomy. Larger operations need a few days for the bowel to wake up before full feeds.
Feeding advances step by step according to a written plan.
Some spit-up after surgery is normal at first and improves.
Incisions are small and usually need only simple care.
Watch for fever, worsening vomiting, or a swollen belly and call if you see them.
Follow-up confirms healthy weight gain and healing.
Still wondering about something? Bring every question to the consultation. Nothing is too small.
It is one of the most common and well-established infant operations, performed under the care of pediatric anesthesiologists.
Usually not for long. Most children return to a normal age-appropriate diet.
It can recur in a small number of children, most often within days. We tell you exactly what to watch for.
Anti-reflux surgery helps many children significantly, though it is reserved for those with severe symptoms despite medical care.
Talk it through
Discuss this with Dr. Frykman
Request an appointment and a member of the team will call you back. Urgent concerns are triaged the same day wherever possible.
Dr. Philip K. Frykman
Board-certified pediatric surgeon
Feeding your baby should be a joy, not a source of fear, and I will help you get there.
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