[Possibilities of surgical correction of so-called "irreparable" bile duct atresia]

Atresia of the bile ducts has always been regarded as congenital. Recent clinical and experimental findings, however, suggest that it may be acquired. In the absence of a more precise definition, classification is still based on the anatomopathological distinction between forms that can and cannot be corrected. An account is given of the possibilities offered by surgery in the correction of so-called irreparable forms and the results obtained with hepatoenterostomy (Kasai's operation).