Pediatr Surg Int. 2024 Oct 24;40(1):272. doi: 10.1007/s00383-024-05857-z.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Bile lake (BL) formation following Kasai portoenterostomy (KPE) can complicate the prognosis of biliary atresia (BA). Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) performed under fluoroscopic/ultrasonographic (US) guidance is discussed for the management of BL.
METHODS: A retrospective review of 64 BA patients treated by KPE (open = 31, laparoscopic = 33) at a single center (2004-2023) identified 9 BL cases (9/64; 14.1%). PTBD was indicated for jaundice or cholangitis refractory to antibiotic therapy.
RESULTS: All BL were asymptomatic, diagnosed after an episode of postoperative cholangitis. KPE type was not correlated with BL incidence; 2/31 (6.5%) for open and 7/33 (21.2%) for laparoscopic; p = 0.15. Median onset was postoperative day 273 (IQR: 170-920). One case resolved with antibiotics while another case required early liver transplantation (LTx) due to advanced hepatic dysfunction unrelated to BL. All remaining cases (7/9) had PTBD at a median of 14.3 months (IQR: 7.3-34.7) post-KPE, with successful resolution in 6/7; one case required two PTBD procedures. Post-PTBD biliary peritonitis (n = 3) was resolved by abdominal lavage (laparoscopic = 2; open = 1).
CONCLUSION: Screening for BL is advisable in all postoperative BA patients especially when cholangitis occurs. Although the risk for biliary peritonitis warrants caution, PTBD seems a viable option for managing BL formation after KPE.
PMID:39448438 | DOI:10.1007/s00383-024-05857-z
