Partial internal biliary diversion through a cholecystojejunocolonic anastomosis--a novel surgical approach for patients with progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis: a preliminary report.

Background/purpose: The purpose of the study was to describe the initial experience with a novel approach to the surgical treatment of progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC), avoiding the creation of a permanent stoma.

Methods: Two teenaged patients, aged 15 and 17 years, underwent partial internal biliary diversion to treat uncontrollable pruritus associated with PFIC. The surgical technique involved the creation of an isolated jejunal conduit, anastomosed proximally in a terminolateral fashion to the gallbladder and distally to the ascending colon.