Q: What happens during the operation?
A. The aim of the operation is to make a drainage channel to allow bile to drain from the liver. The exact way in which this is done will depend on the type of biliary atresia your baby has. During the operation the Surgeon will examine the liver, look for abnormalities and may take a liver biopsy (i.e. remove a tiny piece for further laboratory tests).

The operation usually takes usually takes a whole morning or afternoon. The surgeon takes as long as is needed to carry out what he / she needs to do.

There are 2 types of operations.

A. The surgeon finds no patent (open) ducts outside the liver