What
happens during the operation?
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.
- The
surgeon finds no patent (open) ducts outside the liver.
This
is the most common finding noted in 85% of cases of biliary atresia.
The ducts are blocked (or missing altogether) right up to the
liver surface. Under this circumstance, the blocked ducts are
removed completely up to the liver surface. The surgeon cuts the
bowel and also cuts into the under surface of the liver to find
patent (open) bile ducts, i.e. microscopic bile ductules, which
can drain bile effectively. The loop of bowel is then joined to
this area of the liver.
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Last created on 21-02-2001
Last updated
on 18-11-2006
