The Intestinal Flora at Kasai Procedure in Children with Biliary Atresia Appears Not to Affect Postoperative Cholangitis

Study of 26 biliary atresia patients found intestinal flora at time of Kasai procedure did not predict postoperative cholangitis risk, with 96% of identified bacteria covered by standard antibiotic prophylaxis. Cholangitis occurred in 31% overall, with no correlation to bacterial resistance patterns, suggesting extended IV antibiotics may not prevent ascending infection.