Sequential treatment strategy for biliary atresia: Kasai hepatoportoenterostomy-liver transplantation: a single-center retrospective comparative cohort study

To analyze and compare the efficacy of two treatment strategies for biliary atresia (BA) sequential treatment of Kasai hepatoportoenterostomy-liver transplantation and primary liver transplantation.

A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 300 patients with BA who underwent LT in our center. Among these patients, 225 underwent Kasai hepatoportoenterostomy - liver transplantation sequential treatment (Kasai-LT group), while 75 received primary liver transplantation (pLT group). Data on demographic characteristics, perioperative conditions, postoperative recovery, and complications were collected to analyze the efficacy, complication rates, and survival outcomes of the two treatment approaches.

After propensity score matching analysis, there were no differences in postoperative liver function recovery between two groups. However, the Kasai-LT group had lower APRI, lower γ-GT level, and lower PELD scores when liver transplantation. The Kasai-LT group had shorter operative time, shorter PICU stay, shorter hospital stay with lower hospitalization cost. The incidence of hepatic artery complications and thoracoabdominal infections after LT was significantly higher in the pLT group compared to the Kasai-LT group. The 5-year recipient cumulative survival rate was 94.40% in the Kasai-LT group compared to 88.10% in the pLT group. Furthermore, the 5-year cumulative graft survival rate was 89.30% in the Kasai-LT group and 86.80% in the pLT group.

The treatment of BA should follow Kasai-LT sequential treatment combined with individualized treatment plans to achieve better pre-transplantation general condition and reduce the incidence of postoperative complications.