Microvascular proliferation of the portal vein branches in the liver of biliary atresia patients at Kasai operation is associated with a better long-term clinical outcome

Morphometric analysis of liver biopsies from 25 biliary atresia patients undergoing Kasai operation revealed that increased density of small portal vein branches correlates with better long-term outcomes and native liver survival. Patients with poor prognosis had significantly fewer portal vein branches per unit area compared to those with excellent outcomes, suggesting portal venous microvascular proliferation may serve as a prognostic indicator.