Learn about Biliary Atresia Treatment in Turkey — how it works, who it is for, recovery timelines, and what to expect before and after surgery. Compare hospitals and doctors experienced in Biliary Atresia and request assistance for cost estimates or appointments.

About Biliary Atresia

Biliary atresia is a rare, life-threatening congenital condition in infants where the bile ducts inside or outside the liver are blocked, scarred, or absent, preventing bile from draining into the intestine. This leads to liver damage, jaundice, and cirrhosis. The primary surgical procedure to treat biliary atresia is the Kasai portoenterostomy, performed by a pediatric surgeon, often in consultation with a pediatric gastroenterologist who manages the complex medical care. The gastroenterologist plays a critical role in the diagnosis through specialized imaging and liver biopsy, and in the long-term post-operative management, including nutritional support, medication to promote bile flow, and monitoring for complications like cholangitis and progression to liver failure, which may necessitate a liver transplant.

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.
  • checked Typical hospital stay: 10-14 days
  • checked Expected recovery time: Ongoing; initial surgical recovery 4-6 weeks

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are considering biliary atresia in Turkey, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.

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.

Country Estimated cost range Typical stay Recovery time View details
India USD 2,719 – USD 6,526 10-14 days ~ Ongoing; initial surgical recovery 4-6 weeks Know More
Turkey USD 20,131 – USD 48,315 10-14 days ~ Ongoing; initial surgical recovery 4-6 weeks Know More
PATIENT REVIEW

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 Turkey.

Dr. Ümit Koç
  • 10 Years Experience
  • Gastroenterologist
Speaks: English, Turkish
Available Today
January: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Liv Hospital Ankara

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Ümit Koç
  • 10 Years Experience
  • Gastroenterologist
Speaks: English, Turkish
Available Today
January: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Liv Hospital Ankara

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Ümit Koç
  • 10 Years Experience
  • Gastroenterologist
Speaks: English, Turkish
Available Today
January: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Liv Hospital Ankara

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Ümit Koç
  • 10 Years Experience
  • Gastroenterologist
Speaks: English, Turkish
Available Today
January: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Liv Hospital Ankara

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Ümit Koç
  • 10 Years Experience
  • Gastroenterologist
Speaks: English, Turkish
Available Today
January: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Liv Hospital Ankara

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Ümit Koç
  • 10 Years Experience
  • Gastroenterologist
Speaks: English, Turkish
Available Today
January: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Liv Hospital Ankara

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Ümit Koç
  • 10 Years Experience
  • Gastroenterologist
Speaks: English, Turkish
Available Today
January: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Liv Hospital Ankara

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Ümit Koç
  • 10 Years Experience
  • Gastroenterologist
Speaks: English, Turkish
Available Today
January: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Liv Hospital Ankara

OPD-desk synced • Updated