Conduit decompression in biliary atresia

Catheter decompression of the bilioenteric conduit was routinely carried out coincident with stomal closure in 15 consecutive patients with biliary atresia after Kasai hepatic portoenterostomy operation. Postoperatively the catheter was systematically, gradually occluded over a 3- to 8-week period and then withdrawn. Complications were relatively minor and early postoperative cholangitis was avoided.