Biliary atresia: Outcome and management

Untreated, biliary atresia remains a fatal condition of the newborn. Most present within four to six weeks of conjugated jaundice and acholic stools, and, although still a challenging diagnosis to make, therein lies the opportunity of changing the course of this otherwise inexorable disease. The aim of surgery is to restore bile flow, alleviate jaundice and abbreviate the cholangiodestructive process within the liver. The Kasai portoenterostomy, introduced almost 50 years ago in Japan, aims to expose microscopic biliary ductules within the fibroinflammatory mass at the porta hepatis, and restore bile drainage into a mobilised Roux loop. About 50% of infants with BA will be able to clear their jaundice following Kasai alone, given appropriately experienced surgeons and if performed prior to the onset of overt cirrhosis. They have a reasonable expectation of long-term survival to adulthood with a good quality-of-life. The remainder may be candidates for liver transplantation (where available) although donor organ shortage and immunosuppresion-related complications remain significant problems.     

Answered and unanswered controversies in the surgical management of extra hepatic biliary atresia

Almost a half-century since Kasai described the portoentersotomy for extrahepatic biliary atresia (EHBA), some questions about the management of this condition have been resolved and many are unanswered. The most useful diagnostic steps to aid in the diagnosis are debated. Sonography can be helpful but its sensitivity and selectivity are arguable with strong advocates for its effectiveness. Likewise, the magnetic resonance imaging has forceful advocates but also has not been universalized. The liver biopsy, done commonly before an operation for cholestasis, is often not discriminating. The radionuclide scan hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) scan after phenobarbital stimulation is helpful if negative, but false positive results are common. It is agreed to proceed expeditiously to the operation in the cholestatic infant after a prompt investigation. The proposal to avoid this step and provide liver transplantation as initial management for EHBA has been suppressed by several clinical findings. The Kasai procedure has not worsened the outcome of eventual liver transplantation. The Kasai, even if it eventually fails, will often buy time and allow the child to grow before transplantation is needed. Multiple reoperations prior to the transplant are discouraged. Revisions to improve bile flow have not gained wide popularity. Use of a stoma to divert the bile has been largely abandoned. The need for frozen section examination of the liver at the site chosen for the portoenterostomy is no longer demanded. The preferred type of intestinal conduit is argued. Unanswered questions about the post-operative management include the role of steroids and of prophylactic antibiotics. The Biliary Atresia Research Consortium, a multi-institutional National Institutes of Health (NIH)-supported project, will address many of the unanswered issues.     

Adjuvant steroid treatment following Kasai portoenterostomy and clinical outcomes of biliary atresia patients: an updated meta-analysis

Background

It is controversial whether adjuvant steroid treatment should be given to biliary atresia (BA) patients following a Kasai portoenterostomy (KPE). This study aimed to quantitatively and systematically evaluate the effect of adjuvant steroid therapy post-KPE in relation to major clinical outcomes of BA patients.

Methods

We systematically reviewed the literature in PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database, Wanfang Database, Scholarly and Academic Information Navigator and manually searched for relevant papers published before August, 2015. We extracted data on the effects of steroid treatment following KPE on clinical outcome, including jaundice free rate and native liver survival rate at 6 months, 1 or 2 years after KPE. The weighted overall relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by using a random-effects model.

Results

Eight cohort studies and two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified (n=998). Of them, 6 cohort studies and 2 trials investigated the effect of steroid treatment as compared to non-users or placebo (n=566), and 2 cohort studies compared the effects of high-dose to low-dose steroid treatment (n=432). Steroid usage increased the clearance rates of jaundice at 6 months (pooled RR: 1.32; 95% CI: 0.995-1.76; I²=72.6%) and 1 year (pooled RR: 1.35; 95% CI: 1.12-1.61; I²=0.0%), but not 2 years (pooled RR: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.55-1.22; I²=0.0%) after KPE. There was no solid evidence supporting that steroid treatment would improve native liver survival rate at 6 months (pooled RR: 1.02; 95% CI: 0.90-1.15; I²=0.0%), 1 year (pooled RR: 1.10; 95% CI: 0.91-1.34; I²=35.2%) or 2 years (pooled RR: 1.00; 95% CI: 0.73-1.35; I²=57.4%) after KPE.

Conclusions

Adjuvant steroid treatment following KPE may improve short-term (≤1 year) clearance rate of jaundice, but no significant effects on long-term (≥2 years) clearance rate of jaundice and native liver survival rate. Studies on doses and duration of steroids, and long-term follow-up studies are warranted.

     

Living donor liver transplantation for biliary atresia – An Indian experience

LT has played a significant role in improving the outcome of children with BA. We review our five‐yr experience of LDLT for children with BA. Records of all children who underwent LDLT in our institution over a five‐yr period (August 2010–June 2015) were reviewed and those with a primary diagnosis of BA were selected for our study. Data were extracted from a prospectively maintained database. Additional data were collected by review of case notes and imaging studies. Analysis was carried out using standard statistical means. One hundred and thirty‐two children underwent LDLT at our center over the study period, of which 58 children (31 females) had a primary diagnosis of BA. Thirty‐three (56.9%) children had undergone a prior KPE and 25 (43.1%) had a primary LT. Thirty‐four children had at least one post‐op complication, of which 13 had minor complications (Clavien grades I and II) and 21 had major complications (Clavien grade >II). Thirty‐day survival was 96.6% and one‐yr survival was 91.4%. Univariate analysis of variables comparing children who did and did not have a KPE prior to LT showed that age at LT, weight at LT, PELD, and GRWR were significantly different. LDLT provides excellent outcomes in children with BA. Primary LDLT and LT after KPE provide equivalent results, although the former is technically more challenging as the child is younger.     

The impact of hepatic portoenterostomy on liver transplantation for the treatment of biliary atresia: early failure adversely affects outcome

The most common indication for pediatric LTx is biliary atresia with failed HPE, yet the effect of previous HPE on the outcome after LTx has not been well characterized. We retrospectively reviewed a single-center experience with 134 consecutive pediatric liver transplants for the treatment of biliary atresia from 1 May 1995 to 28 April 2008. Of 134 patients, 22 underwent LTx without prior HPE (NPE), while 112 patients underwent HPE first. HPE patients were grouped into EF, defined as need for LTx within the first year of life, and LF, defined as need for LTx beyond the first year of life. NPE and EF groups differed significantly from the LF group in age, weight, PELD, and ICU status (p < 0.05) with NPE having the highest PELD and ICU status. Patients who underwent salvage LTx after EF following HPE had a significantly higher incidence of post-operative bacteremia and septicemia (p < 0.05), and subsequently lower survival rates. One-year patient survival and graft survival were as follows: NPE 100%, EF 81%, and LF 96% (p < 0.05); and NPE 96%, EF 79%, and LF 96% (p < 0.05). Further investigation into the optimal treatment of biliary atresia should focus on identifying patients at high risk of EF who may benefit from proceeding directly to LTx given the increased risk of post-LTx bacteremia, sepsis, and death after failed HPE.     

Long-term outlook in biliary atresia

The oldest survivors from the Kasai portoenterostomy originate in Sendai, Japan and are approaching their 60th birthday. These represent the tip of an expanding cohort of adults born with this previously fatal condition. Increasingly transition to adult-biased hepatologists and physicians will be the expectation of many with this condition. However unlike their usual patients with alcohol, drugs, virally mediated liver disease these are different with different expectations of health and quality of life. Cure is not on the cards for most of these and they survive still with impaired bile flow and increased liver fibrosis and cirrhosis with the threat of cholangitis and portal hypertension still apparent.We review the reported statistics on long-term survival essentially from Japan and Western Europe (such as the UK and France) and the range of complications that may still beset this group.     

57例胆道闭锁术后近期疗效及部分影响预后因素分析

为了解胆道闭锁术后近期疗效及部分影响预后的因素，对1990年1月－2001年12月收治的胆道闭锁患儿57例进行分析。男32例，女25例；平均手术年龄81天（33－223天）；36例行Kasai术。测定13例患儿血清巨细胞病毒的DNA、抗CMV－lgG和lgM抗体和肝活检组织和CMV抗原表达。结果：Kasai术后总的胆汁排出率为53．8％，总的黄疸消退率为33．3％。激素治疗有促进胆汁引流作用。60天以内手术组疗效明显好于90天以后手术组。CMV感染组术后疗效较非感染相差。提示在目前国内尚未广泛开展肝移植的情况下，早期诊断、及早手术及加强术后抗感染和抗病毒治疗对提高其生存率意义重大。     

Mortality of biliary atresia in children not undergoing liver transplantation in the Netherlands

In order to further improve the outcome of BA, we characterized the mortality of BA patients who did not undergo OLT in the Netherlands, and compared our results with international data. For this purpose, we analyzed the causes of mortality of non-transplanted BA patients before the age of five yr, using the NeSBAR database. To evaluate trends in mortality, we compared the cohort 1987-1996 (n=99) with 1997-2008 (n=111). We compared clinical condition at OLT assessment with available international data, using the PELD-score. Mortality of non-transplanted BA children was 26% (26/99) in 1987-1996 and 16% (18/111) in 1997-2008 (p=0.09). Sepsis was the prevailing direct cause of death (30%; 13/44). PELD-scores at the time of assessment were higher in non-transplanted BA patients (median 20.5; range 13-40) compared with international data (mean/median between 11.7 and 13.3). Based on our national data, we conclude that pretransplant mortality of BA patients is still considerable, and that sepsis is a predominant contributor. Our results strongly indicate that the prognosis of patients with BA in the Netherlands can be improved by earlier listing of patients for OLT and by improving pretransplant care.     

Improved weight gain following closure of exteriorized conduit for biliary atresia

Accelerated weight-gain velocity was observed in five infants with extraheptic biliary atresia following closure of the exteriorized conduit. Despite excellent bile drainage (daily volumes 150–900 ml) and refeeding of this fluid to the efferent limb, steatorrhea occurred in three patients and was suspected in the other two. Total bile-acid concentrations in the bile collected prior to refeeding into the jejunum were below the critical micellar concentration in most of the specimens tesred. The nutritional consequences of bile diversion need to be balanced against the beneficial effects in diminishing the incidence of postoperative cholangitis. We postulate that fat malabsorption occured in these children because of inadequate bile-acid concentrations and inefficient fat emulsification. Bile acids were normally conjugated with glycine and taurine. Offprint requests to: J. Levy     

A scoring system to predict the need for liver transplantation for biliary atresia after Kasai portoenterostomy

A retrospective analysis was performed of the records of 133 patients with extrahepatic biliary atresia (EHBA) who had undergone a Kasai portoenterostomy. The patients were divided into a non-transplantation group who survived but did not receive liver transplantation after the procedure and a failure group of those who died or received liver transplantation. A score was calculated that assessed nine factors, including laboratory values and complications. The data were assessed at the time complications occurred. The scores were analysed by a trend analysis to see if serial scores predicted the evolution of liver disease. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to assess the optimal cut-point for the scoring system. There were 98 patients in the non-transplantation group and 35 in the failure group. The latter group had significantly higher post-operative bilirubin (9.3±7.2 mg/dl versus 3.5±3.1 mg/dl), ALT (136±89 U/l versus 92±88 U/l), prothrombin time, and incidence of cirrhosis, ascites, oesophageal varices, portal hypertension, cholangitis and sepsis than the non-transplantation group ( P <0.05). A score of 8 had a high sensitivity (96.9%) and specificity (89.5%) for predicting the need for liver transplant. Conclusion:based on easily available clinical information, our scoring system can predict which patients with biliary atresia who have already undergone a Kasai procedure should be considered for liver transplantation.Abbreviations EHBA extrahepatic biliary atresia - ROC receiver operating characteristic     

Evaluation of catch-up growth after liver transplantation in children with biliary atresia

Orthotopic liver transplantation (Tx) has improved survival in infants with extrahepatic biliary atresia (BA) when portoenteroanastomosis fails. Symptoms leading to Tx include liver failure, poor quality of life and growth failure. The objective of the study was to determine catch-up growth in children with BA. Medical records and growth data of 36 patients (24 girls) who received a Tx due to BA were analyzed. Thirty-two patients completed 3 yr and 15 patients 7 yr of follow-up after Tx. At Tx, the median age was 2.7 yr (range 0.7-12.6) and mean height Z score (+/-s.d.) was -1.56 (+/-1.3). Patients were divided in two groups according to age at Tx: group I (n = 10), younger than 1.0 yr, and group II (n = 26) older than 1.0 yr. Median age (range) at Tx in group I was 0.8 yr (0.7-1.0) and in group II it was 3.35 yr (1.25-12.6). Thirteen patients (nine in group I) were receptors of living related donors. We evaluated linear growth, liver and renal function, immunosuppressive regimen and allograft rejection episodes. We did not find any significant differences in allograft or renal function, immunosuppressive therapy and number of acute rejection episodes or height Z score at Tx, second and third year post-Tx between both groups. The mean height Z score at Tx in group I was -1.61 and in group II -1.54; at the second year, group I -0.66 and group II -1.08; at the third year, group I -0.17 and group II -0.85; and at the seventh year (total group) -0.3. However, the height gain at the third year was better in group I than in group II (p < 0.01, t-test). Height Z score at the third year improved more than 1 SDS in seven out of eight patients in group I and in only nine out of 24 in group II (odds ratio 11.6). We also found a correlation between height gain at the third year and age at Tx (r-0.65) and between height gain at the third year and height Z score at Tx (r-0.54) (Pearson, p < 0.05). Children with BA who are transplanted before 12 months of age presented better catch-up growth without change survival and morbidity. Orthotopic liver Tx improves survival and also enables height gain in these children.     

A paradigm shift in the intention‐to‐transplant children with biliary atresia: Outcomes of 101 cases and a review of the literature

For children with BA who do not benefit from Kasai surgery, the only therapeutic option is liver replacement and transplantation. The very decision to proceed for transplantation is a crucial point in time because it is the first step toward the preparation for the transplantation. The former time point is defined in this analysis as “intent‐to‐transplant” care pathway. In the life of every BA candidate for liver replacement, this point in time varies and mostly depends on the decision of their primary caring teams—about when to switch from supportive care to transplant, and thus to refer to a transplant center. This intent‐to‐transplant analysis of a series of 101 consecutive infants that were referred to a single transplant team showed that excellent overall outcome (97% survival) has been achieved overall. However, three deaths occurred that were clearly related to a late referral. This analysis and recent observations from other centers strongly support that the timing for referring these children to a transplant center and/or deciding to list them on the waiting list is currently too late and should be anticipated to what it is currently. This paradigm shift in the intention‐to‐transplant children is likely necessary for giving a better chance to an increased number of children and impacts positively on the general outcome. Networking and defining new tools for a rapid recognition of the infants who need early transplantation are necessary; centralization of these children may be helpful to achieve better outcomes than currently observed.     

Extrahepatic biliary atresia: from diagnosis to liver transplantation

Thirty infants were diagnosed with extrahepatic biliary atresia (EBA) from July 1978 to July 1989; 28 have undergone a Kasai or Lilly-Altman modification of the Kasai portoenterostomy; 2 were excluded from surgery because they presented after 3 months of age and had advanced biliary cirrhosis. Immediate postoperative drainage (>30 ml/day was achieved in 24 patients (86%), with 14 (50%) surviving free of jaundice. The average follow-up was 2.25 years (range 3 months to 10 years); the longest survivor is 10.3 years old. The overall survival was 64%, and 5-year survival 50%. Of 24 infants operated on at <12 weeks of age, 14 are free of jaundice (58%), 4 are alive with jaundice (17%), and 6 have died (25%). No correlation existed between subsequent bile drainage and duct size at the porta hepatis, presence or absence of hepatic fibrosis, giant-cell transformation, or hepatic inflammation. Complications included cholangitis (57%), progressive hepatic failure (39%), portal hypertension (21%), gastrointestinal bleeding (21%), esophageal varices (18%), stomal hemorrhage (11%), seizures (7%), rickets (3.5%), biliary calculus in the Roux-en-Y (3.5%), and hepatic abscess (3.5%). Five infants required revision, with 1 patient undergoing six reoperations, each followed by successful re-establishment of bile drainage. One infant had a successful liver transplant, and 2 are currently candidates for transplantation. Based on this analysis, an algorithm has been formulated for the diagnostic evaluation and subsequent surgical management from initial portoenterostomy to orthotopic liver transplantation for infants diagnosed with EBA. From our review of this experience and the literature on EBA and orthotopic liver transplantation, we have concluded that portoenterostomy has a substanial chance (P <0.05) of providing bile drainage and survival is comparable to that after liver transplantation. Although ultimate failures occur at a steadily increasing rate, portoenterostomy delays transplantation until children are older and can more easily undergo transplantation with its attendant risks of immunosuppression and complications.     

钙黏蛋白-11在胆道闭锁患儿肝组织中的表达及意义

目的分析钙黏蛋白-11(cadherin-11,CDH11)在胆道闭锁(biliary atresia,BA)患儿肝组织内的表达及意义。方法选取2014年11月至2016年12月就诊的BA和胆总管囊肿(CC)患儿作为研究对象。分析患儿肝脏CDH11与肝纤维化标志基因和血清肝功能指标的相关性。结果 BA组50例,女25例、男25例,中位年龄59.5(46.8～71.8)天;CC组8例,女5例、男3例,中位年龄70.0(49.0～125.3)天。BA组患儿肝脏中CDH11 mRNA表达水平显著高于CC组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。BA肝内CDH11 mRNA表达水平与转化生长因子β1(TGFB1)、转化生长因子β2(TGFB2)、角蛋白19(KRT19)、肌动蛋白α2(ACTA2)、Ⅰ型胶原α1链(COL1A1)和Ⅳ型胶原α1链(COL4A1) mRNA表达水平呈显著正相关(r=0.36～0.73,P均<0.01)。与轻度肝纤维化BA患儿相比,CDH11表达水平在重度肝纤维化BA患儿肝内显著升高(P<0.01)。BA肝内CDH11 mRNA表达水平与血清γ-谷氨酰...     

Biliary atresia: Early diagnosis through operative cholangiography

A retrospective analysis of 17 infants with biliary atresia was carried out. The role of operative cholangiography for diagnosis is emphasised for early intervention and better prognosis.     

胆道闭锁Kasai手术效果影响因素的研究进展

胆道闭锁(biliary atresia,BA)是肝内外胆管进行性纤维化引起肝内外胆管硬化和闭锁的一种常见疾病,Kasai手术(肝门空肠吻合术)改善了患儿预后.手术时肝脏的病理状态,包括肝脏纤维化程度、胆管板畸形、肝门部纤维斑块、胆道闭锁类型都对Kasai术后的效果有影响.单纯用年龄评价手术预后有欠妥当.建立胆道闭锁治疗中心以提高外科医师实施Kasai手术的经验有助于改善手术预后,而胆道闭锁脾脏畸形综合征、早产儿、CMV感染对预后有不利影响.激素、熊去氧胆酸及抗生素的预防性使用其有效性目前尚有争议.     

Long-term survival after Kasai's operation for biliary atresia

Long-term survival of biliary atresia patients after Kasai hepaticoportoenterostomy is being increasingly reported. Prognostic factors indicative of a favorable long-term outcome consist of: (1) early age at operation; (2) bilirubin excretion of at least 6 mg daily 1 month after operation; (3) favorable hepatic histology at the time of operation; and (4) low incidence of postoperative cholangitis. Jaundice-free long-term survival is now attained in from one-fourth to one-third of patients undergoing Kasai hepaticoportoenterostomy by experienced surgeons in the Western hemisphere. In many long-term survivors there is normalization of liver function, improvement in hepatic histology, and resolution of the complications of portal hypertension. Most patients in this category have made a normal adjustment to their disease and lead active adolescent and adult lives. Offprint requests to: B. A. Stewart