Is the Kasai operation still indicated in children older than 3 months diagnosed with biliary atresia?

Objectives: The prognosis of hepatoportoenterostomy (the Kasai operation) for biliary atresia worsens when the age at surgery increases. This study examines whether the Kasai operation remains justified after 3 months of life.

Study Design: Records for all patients with biliary atresia living in France and born in the years 1986 to 1996 were reviewed, and patients were classified into 3 groups: group 1 (n = 30), no contraindication to the Kasai operation, but orientation to de novo transplantation; group 2 (n = 380), age at Kasai operation <90 days; and group 3 (n = 60), age at Kasai operation > or =90 days.

Epidemiology of biliary atresia in France: a national study 1986-96.

Background/aims: The reported incidence of biliary atresia varies from 5 to 32/100000 live births. The existence of seasonality and/or clustering is controversial. Based on a large population analysis, we examined the incidence of biliary atresia in France, and the space-time distribution of cases.

Prognosis of biliary atresia in the era of liver transplantation: French national study from 1986 to 1996.

Since the sequential treatment of Kasai operation with or without liver transplantation became available, the overall prognosis of biliary atresia remains unclear. This study examined the prognostic factors from diagnosis. All patients with biliary atresia living in France and born in the years 1986 to 1996 were reviewed.