Cholangitis after hepatic portoenterostomy for biliary atresia: a multivariate analysis of risk factors.

Cholangitis occurred in 59% of 77 patients who underwent the portoenterostomy procedure for biliary atresia between 1980 and 2000. Good postoperative bile drainage was associated with a lower risk of cholangitis than partial (odds ratio, 5.72; 95% CI, 2.89-11.3) or poor (odds ratio, 3.29; 95% CI, 1.89-5.7) bile drainage. Cholangitis was not an independent risk factor for death or liver transplantation.