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

Retrospective study of 87 biliary atresia patients shows postoperative intestinal obstruction significantly reduces jaundice-free native liver survival (0% vs 73.8%), even in patients who initially achieved jaundice-free status after Kasai portoenterostomy. Findings highlight intestinal obstruction as a critical risk factor for subsequent liver transplantation.