Laparoscopic Kasai portoenterostomy for biliary atresia

Conventional surgery for extrahepatic bile-duct atresia (EHBDA) usually requires a large, painful, muscle-cutting laparotomy, dislodgment of the liver, and wide manipulations, followed by adhesions and possible complications that may disturb the postoperative course and hamper liver transplantation (LT). The main role of laparoscopy in EHBDA has been for diagnostic purposes. Besides all the advantages of minimally-invasive access, it allows excellent visibility and dissection of tiny hilar structures. The authors present the first two cases of successful Roux-en-Y laparoscopic portoenterostomy (LARP) for EHBDA, showing the importance of advanced technical skills and a new approach for extracorporeal enteroanastomosis. Laparoscopic hilar dissection and portoenterostomy was accomplished using four trocars. The umbilical site was used for extracorporeal Roux-en-Y enteroenterostomy, in the first case using a laparoscopic stapler and in the second a hand-sewn suture. Mean operative time was 190 min, and no operative complications were observed. Both girls became anicteric. The first is doing well 15 months after the operation with good hepatic function. The other was anicteric for 6 months, had one episode of cholangitis, developed an umbilical hernia, has shown slow and progressive hepatic failure, and is now being evaluated for possible LT. It is concluded that LARP for EHBDA can be done safely in infants using an extracorporeal transumbilical enteric anastomosis, with several advantages compared with open surgery. The role of LARP in facilitating LT is yet to be defined.