What is the definitive treatment for biliary atresia?

The definitive treatment for biliary atresia is the Kasai procedure, also known as hepatoportoenterostomy. This surgical intervention is designed to restore bile flow from the liver to the intestine in infants with biliary atresia, a condition where the bile ducts are absent or blocked.

During the Kasai procedure, the surgeon removes the atretic (blocked) bile duct and connects the liver directly to a segment of the small intestine, allowing bile to bypass the obstruction and flow into the intestine. This approach can help prevent liver damage and improve the child's overall health and growth, making it essential in the early management of biliary atresia.

While liver transplantation is a definitive treatment for advanced biliary atresia when the liver is severely damaged, the Kasai procedure is often performed first to attempt to preserve the liver function and potentially avoid the need for transplantation. Cholecystectomy is not relevant in this context, as biliary atresia primarily involves the larger bile ducts rather than the gallbladder. Balloon dilatation is a procedure used for other conditions but is not appropriate for the treatment of biliary atresia itself.