Reappraise the effect of redo-Kasai for recurrent jaundice following Kasai operation for biliary atresia in the era of liver transplantation

Biochemical Evaluation of Laparoscopic Portoenterostomy for Treating Biliary Atresia and Redo for Failed Portoenterostomy

Background: Postoperative outcomes of portoenterostomy (PE) and redo-PE were evaluated using selected biochemical markers (SBM) and biochemical status categories (BSC). Methods: Subjects were 70 consecutive PE performed for biliary atresia. SBM were aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/alanine aminotransferase (ALT), cholinesterase (ChE), and platelet count (PLT) assessed at 1, 2, 3, 6, and 12 months, and thence, annually for a maximum of 10 years. BSC were as follows: all SBM normal (N-SBM), normal AST/ALT (N-SLT), normal ChE (N-ChE), normal PC (N-PLT), all abnormal (A-SBM), abnormal AST/ALT (A-SLT), abnormal ChE (A-ChE), and abnormal PC (A-PLT). Subjects achieving jaundice clearance (JC) and surviving with native livers (SNL) also had gamma glutamyl transpeptidase assessed. Redo-PE indicated for failed PE was assessed postoperatively using the same SBM/BSC protocol. Results: PE were laparoscopic (LPE; n = 40) or open (OPE; n = 30). Mean age/weight at PE and duration of follow-up were similar. For JC, LPE = 34/40 (85.0%) and OPE = 22/30 (73.3%); P = .23. For SNL, LPE = 29/40 (72.5%) and OPE = 16/30 (53.3%); P = .10. LPE and OPE were similar for SBM/BSC, except for a single significant increase in ALT in OPE at 6 months. Redo-PE was performed 17-180 days (mean 67.1 days) after primary PE. AST was significantly increased at the last preredo assessment 3 months after primary PE; P < .05. After redo, AST decreased and SBM/BSC results were equivalent to nonredo subjects. Conclusion: Postoperative biochemical data for all PE cases were comparable; redo-PE would appear to be viable for restoring SBM, and AST could be valuable as a single marker of deterioration in redo cases.

Laparoscopic revision of Kasai portoenterostomy after initial laparoscopic portoenterostomy in patients with biliary atresia: a limited but positive effect on native liver survival

PURPOSE

It is important for patients with biliary atresia (BA) to retain the native liver after Kasai portoenterostomy (PE). Laparoscopic PE (Lap-PE) is standard, whereas laparoscopic revision of PE (Lap-revision) is performed as needed. We report the medium-term outcomes of Lap-revision.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the demographics and outcomes of 63 patients who underwent Lap-PE between 2013 and 2021. Indications for revision included recurrent jaundice, repeat cholangitis, and persistent jaundice with temporary biliary excretion following the initial PE. We compared liver transplantation (LT) data of patients who underwent Lap-revision with those of patients who did not.

RESULTS

Lap-revision was performed in 20 patients. Of those 17 (excluding the two who were jaundice-free before the age of 1, and the one who underwent open conversion for bleeding), 11 (65%) were jaundice-free 1 year after Lap-revision. The surgical parameters of LT did not differ between patients who underwent Lap-revision and those who did not.

CONCLUSION

Lap-revision for patients with BA had a limited but positive effect on native liver survival and did not adversely affect subsequent LT. Therefore, Lap-revision could be second-line standard therapy in patients with BA who have demonstrated biliary drainage at least once after initial PE.

Laparoscopic internal intestinal drainage of bile lakes in a patient with recurrence of jaundice after laparoscopic revision of Kasai portoenterostomy for biliary atresia: A case report

Bile lake, of the postoperative complications after Kasai portoenterostomy (PE) for biliary atresia, causes cholangitis that may induce progressive fibrosis of the liver. Standard treatment for bile lakes has not yet been established, but there are reports that surgical internal intestinal drainage for bile lakes effectively prevents cholangitis and maintains jaundice-free status. In this case, insertion of the percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage into the bile lake allowed continuous drainage of large volumes of bile juice. However, reoperation following laparotomy increases the surgical risk of subsequent liver transplantation due to postoperative adhesion. Laparoscopic surgery was selected for the patient who was likely to require liver transplantation in the future. In this case, laparoscopic internal intestinal drainage of bile lakes was performed safely by a Cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator for the recurrence of jaundice after laparoscopic revision of PE. Cholangitis and jaundice were rapidly resolved after this surgical procedure.

Medium-term outcomes after laparoscopic revision of laparoscopic Kasai portoenterostomy in patients with biliary atresia

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether revision laparoscopic Kasai portoenterostomy (RLKPE) is a viable treatment option for patients with biliary atresia (BA) who had undergone initially successful laparoscopic Kasai portoenterostomy (ILKPE).

METHODS

The medical records of 312 patients with nonsyndromic BA who had undergone ILKPE between May 2009 and May 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into three groups according to their outcomes after ILKPE: group A: 25 patients who had undergone RLKPE; group B: 203 patients who had undergone ILKPE and required no further surgical intervention; group C: 84 patients with failed ILKPE who had either died or required liver transplantation for survival. The 3-year and 5-year survival with native liver (SNL) rates were compared between groups A and B and between groups A and C. Among the 25 patients in group A, the perioperative data of RLKPE were compared with those of ILKPE.

RESULTS

Of the 312 patients who had undergone ILKPE, 228 reached the normal bilirubin concentration range within 6 months postoperatively. Among them, 25 patients with a sudden cessation of bile flow had undergone RLKPE. Adequate biliary drainage, as evidenced by normalized conjugated bilirubin levels, was achieved in 80% of patients who had undergone RLKPE. The perioperative variables, including the operative time, blood loss, rate of conversion to open surgery and complications of RLKPE, were not significantly different between RLKPE and ILKPE. The 3-year and 5-year SNL rates in patients after RLKPE were 64.0% and 52.0%, respectively, which were not significantly different from the corresponding rates of 86.2% and 73.9%, respectively, in patients after unrevised ILKPE (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Our data demonstrated that RPLKE is a viable and effective treatment option in patients with sudden cessation of bile drainage after ILKPE. RPLKE can delay the need for liver transplantation, yielding encouraging medium-term patient outcomes.

Laparoscopic Kasai portoenterostomy is advantageous over open Kasai portoenterostomy in subsequent liver transplantation

BACKGROUND

Native liver survival after laparoscopic Kasai portoenterostomy (Lap-PE) for biliary atresia (BA) is controversial. We examined whether a jaundice-free native liver survival rate is comparable between conventional Kasai portoenterostomy (Open-PE) and Lap-PE. Then, the impact of the two types of PE on subsequent living-donor liver transplantation (LTx) was addressed in this study.

METHODS

The jaundice-free rate in 1- and 2-year-old patients who underwent Open-PE and Lap-PE from January 2006 to December 2017 was investigated. Additionally, perioperative data (duration from the start of surgery to the completion of hepatectomy and others) of patients aged 2 years or younger who underwent LTx after either Open-PE or Lap-PE from 2006 to 2017 were evaluated.

RESULTS

Thirty-one (67%) out of 46 Open-PE patients and 23 (77%) out of 30 Lap-PE patients showed native liver survival with jaundice-free status at 1 year of age (p = 0.384); 29 (63%) out of 46 Open-PE patients and 19 (70%) out of 27 Lap-PE patients showed native liver survival with jaundice-free status at 2 years of age (p = 0.524); there were no significant differences. Additionally, there were 37 LTx cases after PE within 2 years of birth, including 29 Open-PE and 8 Lap-PE cases. The patients in the Lap-PE group had fewer adhesions and significantly shorter durations of surgery up to the completion of the recipient's hepatectomy and durations of post-LTx hospital stay compared to the Open-PE group. There were no differences in blood loss or duration of stay in intensive care unit between the Lap-PE and Open-PE groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Jaundice-free native liver survival rate has been comparable between Open-PE and Lap-PE. Lap-PE resulted in fewer adhesions, contributing to better outcomes of subsequent LTx compared to Open-PE.

Review of redo-Kasai portoenterostomy for biliary atresia in the transition to the liver transplantation era

Portoenterostomy (PE) is the standard therapy for biliary atresia (BA). PE offers the chance of survival to children with BA. PE was the ultimate therapeutic modality for BA before liver transplantation (LT) was available. Failure of biliary drainage with PE was almost invariably fatal in children with BA. In such cases, redo-PE was performed to salvage patients following PE failure. PE remains the standard first treatment for BA despite the availability of LT. Further, redo-PE is also performed in a limited number of cases despite the development of LT as an alternative means of PE. However, there is concern that redo-PE increases morbidity at the time of subsequent LT. Laparoscopic redo-PE has recently been described. Laparoscopic redo-PE is expected to reduce complications of LT by preventing abdominal adhesion associated with repetitive surgery. In the present article, the future utility of redo-PE and the history of its changing roles are reviewed.

Biliary atresia: Indications and timing of liver transplantation and optimization of pretransplant care

Biliary atresia (BA) is a progressive, fibro-obliterative disorder of the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts in infancy. The majority of affected children will eventually develop end-stage liver disease and require liver transplantation (LT). Indications for LT in BA include failed Kasai portoenterostomy, significant and recalcitrant malnutrition, recurrent cholangitis, and the progressive manifestations of portal hypertension. Extrahepatic complications of this disease, such as hepatopulmonary syndrome and portopulmonary hypertension, are also indications for LT. Optimal pretransplant management of these potentially life-threatening complications and maximizing nutrition and growth require the expertise of a multidisciplinary team with experience caring for BA. The timing of transplant for BA requires careful consideration of the potential risk of transplant versus the survival benefit at any given stage of disease. Children with BA often experience long wait times for transplant unless exception points are granted to reflect severity of disease. Family preparedness for this arduous process is therefore critical. Liver Transplantation 23:96-109 2017 AASLD.

Long-term follow-up for anicteric survival with native liver after redo Kasai: a first report

PURPOSE

We present a first report of the long-term follow-up of biliary atresia (BA) patients who became anicteric with the native liver (ANL; total bilirubin <1.5mg/dL) after redo-Kasai.

METHODS

Forty-six redo-Kasai cases (1984-2015) were the subjects for this study. ANL ratios were determined using the Kaplan-Meier estimate.

RESULTS

BA type was I (n=3), II (n=1), and III (n=42). Mean ages (initial/redo) at Kasai were 60.3/231.9days, respectively. Jaundice persisted after the initial Kasai in 24/46 cases while 22 had recurrence of jaundice after initially becoming anicteric. After redo, 5/24 of the persistent jaundice cases and 14/22 of the initially anicteric cases became anicteric (p<.05). Of these 19, 7 (one type I, six type III) are currently ANL while the remaining 12 had LTx or died. Morbidity/Complications documented in the 7 post-redo ANL cases after a mean follow-up of 16.7years (range: 10.0-31.1) included 4 episodes of cholangitis, 3 episodes of portal hypertension, 4 episodes of esophageal varices, 3 episodes of splenomegaly, one splenectomy, and 4 episodes of thrombocytopenia.

CONCLUSIONS

Ours is the first long-term follow-up study of redo-Kasai cases. We found that the ANL ratio after redo-Kasai was low at 7/46 (15.2%) and that ANL were prone to multiple morbidity.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Retrospective comparative study, level III.

Screening of targeted genes in extrahepatic bile ducts of mice with experimental biliary atresia

Biliary atresia (BA) is an infantile disease resulting from a severe cholangiopathy, which can obstruct extrahepatic bile ducts, disrupt bile flow and lead to end‑stage cirrhosis. The current study aimed to develop a genetic method to investigate the pathogenesis of BA. The gene expression profile of BA (GSE46967) was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database and included 18 samples from newborn mice. These samples were collected at three time points following the induction of BA with rhesus rotavirus. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in mice with BA were identified using the limma package in R language, followed by hierarchical clustering analysis. Gene ontology functional analysis and Kyoto Enrichment of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis of the selected common DEGs was conducted using the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery. In total, 306 DEGs were identified in the samples from the 3 day time point, 721 at 7 days and 370 at 14 days. A total of 74 common DEGs were identified in these three sample groups, which are reported to function in multiple immune biological processes, including the defense response, leukocyte migration, cell chemotaxis and leukocyte chemotaxis. In addition, 'cytokine‑cytokine receptor interaction' and 'chemokine signaling pathway' were observed to be significantly enriched in BA. A total of six common DEGs (CCL3, CXCL5, CXCL13, CXCR2, CCL5 and CCL6) were identified that were involved in the significantly enriched functions and the significantly enriched pathways. The data from the current study suggested that the immune response is a critical biological process in the development of BA. The six critical hub genes identified (CCL3, CXCL5, CXCL13, CXCR2, CCL5 and CCL6) may be used as specific target genes in the treatment of BA.