A liver biopsy was obtained. The patient underwent continued exploration of her porta hepatis and actually underwent porto enterostomy or a Kasai procedure. The patient did well postoperatively and was discharged on postoperative day thirteen. She is currently sixteen months following the initial procedure and remains anicteric. Today's discussion will focus on the diagnosis and management of biliary atresia.
Biliary atresia is the most common cause of jaundice that requires surgical treatment in infants.
In looking at the etiology of jaundice in infancy, There are up to fifty possible etiologic factors few which are obstructive or require surgical treatment. It is very important to diagnose and treat biliary atresia early because if treatment is delayed beyond three months of life the outcome of the procedure is dismal. Biliary atresia is the least common with an incidence of 1 in 15,000 live births, or approximately 200 cases a year. It is an obstructive condition of the biliary ducts and there are three types . Interestingly enough, the communication between this cyst and the intrahepatic ducts are obliterated and there is no other functional hepatic duct.