Postoperative intestinal obstruction in patients with biliary atresia impedes biliary excretion and results in subsequent liver transplantation.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the negative effects of intestinal obstruction for jaundice-free native liver survival after Kasai portoenterostomy (PE) for biliary atresia (BA).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients who underwent PE for BA between 2006 and 2019. We evaluated the postoperative morbidity of intestinal obstruction for up to 2 years after PE and the effects of intestinal obstruction on jaundice-free native liver survival. On the basis of their initial operation, patients were divided into open portoenterostomy (Open-PE) and laparoscopic portoenterostomy (Lap-PE) groups, and morbidity was compared.

Results: Of the 87 patients reviewed, 6 (6.9%) patients developed postoperative intestinal obstruction and underwent surgery to relieve the obstruction. The morbidity of early postoperative intestinal obstruction was 1.68 per 10,000 person days. The jaundice-free native liver survival rate among patients who once achieved jaundice-free status after PE was significantly lower in the patients with intestinal obstruction compared to in those without intestinal obstruction (0% vs. 73.8%; RR = 3.81, p = 0.007). No significant differences were seen in postoperative intestinal obstructions between the Open-PE and Lap-PE groups (p = 0.242).

Conclusions: Intestinal obstruction negatively impact jaundice-free native liver survival, even in patients who once achieved jaundice-free status after PE for BA.