Surgical treatment of biliary tract malformations

Abstract

Biliary atresia (BA) is a progressive necroinflammatory process involving the extrahepatic biliary tree, either partially or completely. The disease shows the onset during the first days of life and usually evolves into obliteration of the extrahepatic bile duct lumen with interruption of bile flow, resulting in cholestasis and chronic liver damage. If untreated, the disease leads to exitus within the first 2 years of life. Early diagnosis is mandatory to plan a timely surgery, preferably within 80 days of life.