Biliary Atresia Treatment in India
About Biliary Atresia
Key Highlights
-
The Kasai procedure can restore bile flow from the liver to the intestine, potentially delaying or preventing the need for a liver transplant.Early diagnosis and timely surgery (ideally before 3 months of age) significantly improve long-term outcomes and native liver survival.Comprehensive, lifelong management by a multidisciplinary team, including a gastroenterologist, is essential for monitoring liver health, nutrition, and growth.Successful treatment can resolve jaundice, improve growth, and enhance the infant's overall quality of life.
Who is this surgery for?
- Persistent jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes) in an infant beyond two weeks of age.
- Dark urine and pale, clay-colored stools.
- Enlarged, firm liver (hepatomegaly) and sometimes an enlarged spleen.
- Confirmed diagnosis via blood tests showing conjugated hyperbilirubinemia, abdominal ultrasound, hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) scan, and a definitive liver biopsy showing features consistent with biliary atresia.
- Exclusion of other causes of neonatal cholestasis.
How to prepare
- Comprehensive diagnostic workup including blood tests (liver function tests, coagulation profile), abdominal ultrasound, and a HIDA scan.
- Definitive diagnosis via an intraoperative cholangiogram and/or a percutaneous liver biopsy.
- Nutritional optimization, which may include special formulas and vitamin supplements (especially vitamins A, D, E, and K).
- Pre-operative counseling for parents about the procedure, long-term outlook, and the potential need for future transplantation.
- Administration of prophylactic antibiotics to prevent post-operative infection.
Risks & possible complications
- Post-operative cholangitis (infection of the bile ducts), which is common and requires prompt antibiotic treatment.
- Failure of the Kasai procedure to establish adequate bile drainage, leading to progressive liver disease.
- Portal hypertension, which can cause enlarged veins (varices) in the esophagus and stomach, and fluid accumulation in the abdomen (ascites).
- Progression to end-stage liver cirrhosis and liver failure, necessitating a liver transplant.
- General surgical risks such as bleeding, infection at the incision site, and adverse reactions to anesthesia.
- Long-term issues with fat-soluble vitamin deficiency and poor growth.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Initial hospital stay of 1-2 weeks for monitoring bile flow, managing pain, and administering intravenous antibiotics.
- Parents are taught to monitor for signs of cholangitis (fever, increased jaundice, irritability) which requires immediate medical attention.
- Lifelong administration of medications including ursodeoxycholic acid to promote bile flow and antibiotics to prevent cholangitis.
- Strict nutritional follow-up with a specialized high-calorie formula containing medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) and fat-soluble vitamin supplements.
- Regular follow-up visits with the pediatric gastroenterologist for blood tests, growth monitoring, and ultrasound scans to assess liver health and portal hypertension.
-
Typical hospital stay:
10-14 days
-
Expected recovery time:
Ongoing; initial surgical recovery 4-6 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering biliary atresia in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for biliary atresia in India include Medanta The Medicity, Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, Gem Hospital Perungudi, SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, KMC Hospital Mangalore, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform biliary atresia. MediFyr helps you compare gastroenterologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for biliary atresia compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Biliary Atresia in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated gastroenterology teams and experience managing patients undergoing biliary atresia.
Kolkata, India
72 Doctors
I'd been to three other doctors...
I'd been to three other doctors for this nagging pain and fatigue. Everyone said it was stress. Dr. Latha at MGM was the first one who actually sat and listened, really listened, to everything I was saying. She ordered a specific test the others hadn't, and it turned out to be something quite rare. She explained it all to me in plain Tamil, drew diagrams on a notepad. I was scared, but she laid out a clear plan. It's been a long road, but I finally feel like we're getting somewhere.
Gastroenterologists for Biliary Atresia
Explore experienced gastroenterologists who regularly perform biliary atresia and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 31 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Dwarka
- 20 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospitals Broadway
- 21 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Doddaballapur
- 12 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Mukundapur
- 15 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Jaipur
- 13 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospitals Broadway
- 12 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Kanakapura Road
- 41 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospitals Broadway
- 24 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital EM Bypass