Outcomes of laparoscopic Kasai portoenterostomy for biliary atresia: A systematic review

AimsBiliary atresia (BA) is a rare disease for which mainstay of treatment consists of open Kasai portoenterostomy. The aim of this review was to assess the outcomes of laparoscopic Kasai portoenterostomy, which offers potential benefits of minimally invasive surgery. Outcomes identified were postoperative cholangitis rates, incidence of adhesions at subsequent liver transplantation, native liver survival rates and actuarial survival rates.MethodsA comprehensive systematic literature search was conducted in the PubMed and Cochrane databases using the keywords hepatic portoenterostomy, biliary atresia and laparoscopy. Robotic cases were excluded.ResultsTen studies (n = 149 patients) were included in this review. The mean age at the time of operation was 66 (range 14-119) days. The mean operative time was 261 (range 120-662) minutes. The rate of postoperative cholangitis was 34% (range 11%-50%). The mean native liver survival rate was 57% (range 33%-78%) at 6 months and 47% (range 8%-76%) at 2 years. Mean actuarial survival rate was 87% (range 54%-100%) at 2 years. Subsequent adhesions were reported in 4 patients. Two patients had dense adhesions and 2 had no adhesions.ConclusionsAlthough laparoscopic Kasai portoenterostomy is a feasible operation, outcomes in terms of native liver survival rates and actuarial survival rates are unfavourable compared to conventional surgery. There is no evidence that laparoscopic Kasai is associated with fewer adhesions at subsequent liver transplantation.Level of evidenceIII. Type of study: Treatment study.