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Biliary atresia - Treatment

Treatment:

An operation called the Kasai procedure is done to connect the liver to the small intestine, going around the abnormal ducts. It is most successful if done before the baby is 8 weeks old. However, a liver transplant may still be needed.

Expectations (prognosis):

Early surgery will improve the survival of more than a third of babies with this condition. The long-term benefit of liver transplant is not yet known, but is expected to improve survival.

Complications:

Infection
Irreversible cirrhosis
Liver failure
Surgical complications, including failure of the Kasai procedure

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if your child appears jaundiced, or if other symptoms of biliary atresia develop.

Bile produced in the liver

Reviewed last on: 11/2/2009
Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

A-Kader HH, Balistreri WF. Cholestasis. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 353.

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