Biliary Atresia

Abstract

Biliary Atresia (BA) is the most common surgical cause of conjugated jaundice in infancy, and consists of a progressive inflammatory destruction and obliteration of variable lengths of the biliary tract. If left untreated it leads to liver failure and death within few months. It is best treated by an attempt at restoration of bile flow from the native liver by excision of the extrahepatic bile ducts and reconstruction using a jejunal Roux loop (Kasai portoenterostomy) . With this clearance of jaundice of 50–60% can be achieved in large centres with appropriate adjuvant therapy. Failure to clear jaundice or onset of complications such as recurrent cholangitis , ascites and recurrent bleeding from variceal formation are indications for liver transplantation .