Recent Results of Surgical Treatment for Biliary Atresia: Experience at the Seoul National University

Abstract

Biliary atresia is a progressive, inflammatory, obstructive lesion of the bile duct, especially common bile duct, of the newborn period. It is universally fatal if either the Kasai operation or liver transplantation is not performed in due time. The first successful long term survivor of biliary atresia at S.N.U. Hospital was achieved in 1980 by the Kasai operation (hepatoportoenterostomy) and this 6 year old boy is now living normally and attending school. Since then, 17 more patients survived for more than two years of age without jaundice in 1978-1984 period (18/56 or 32 %).