Needle Liver Biopsy Has Potential for Delaying Kasai Portoenterostomy and Is Obsolete for Diagnosing Biliary Atresia in the Laparoscopic Era

This retrospective study of 132 infants demonstrates that laparoscopic assessment combined with basic diagnostic tests achieves 100% accuracy in diagnosing biliary atresia, eliminating the need for needle liver biopsy. The laparoscopic approach allows immediate progression to Kasai portoenterostomy without delays from biopsy results or healing time.