Outcome for biliary atresia patients treated at a low-volume centre

The importance of case load for treatment of extrahepatic biliary atresia (BA) is debated. The aim of this study was to register results of BA treatment in a small volume centre.

Retrospective chart review study of patients with BA treated from 2000 to 2017. The institutional review board approved the study.

Forty-five babies were identified of which 42 (93%) are alive. Forty-one patients had a Kasai portoenterostomy (PE), two had a hepaticojejunostomy and two had a primary liver transplantation. The age at PE/hepaticojejunostomy was median 63 (4-145 days). Seven surgeons performed the operations, and the median duration of the diagnostic work-up was 8 (3-24) days. Clearance of jaundice was achieved in 23/43 (53%) babies, and 3- and 5-year native liver survival was 47% and 40%, respectively. Clearance of jaundice post-PE/hepaticojejunostomy was a strong predictor of native liver survival (adjusted OR: 0.027; 95%; p = .009). Plasma level of conjugated bilirubin at time of referral was also a significant predictor of native liver survival (adjusted OR: 1.053; p = .017).

A small volume centre may achieve satisfactory results for BA patients. The study has, however, identified factors that may further improve results; earlier referral, optimizing diagnostic work-up and establishing one dedicated surgical team.