The favorable prognosis of cystic biliary atresia may be related to early surgery and mild liver pathological changes

This retrospective study of 108 infants demonstrates that cystic biliary atresia (CBA) has significantly better native liver survival rates than non-CBA (71.4% vs 29.8% at 5 years). The improved prognosis correlates with earlier surgical intervention, lower preoperative bilirubin levels, and milder liver pathological changes including reduced fibrosis and bile plugging.