PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of adding a spur valve to laparoscopic portoenterostomy for patients with biliary atresia. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of all patients diagnosed with biliary atresia (BA) who underwent laparoscopic portoenterostomy (Lap-PE) between 2013 and 2021. The patients were divided into two groups: Lap-PE with a spur valve (spur group) and without it (control group). Perioperative management was the same in both groups. We compared patient backgrounds and clinical outcomes, including jaundice clearance and the number of postoperative cholangitis episodes. RESULTS: Of 63 patients reviewed, 16 received a spur valve. There were no statistically significant differences in the patient backgrounds between the groups. All patients in the spur group achieved jaundice clearance. The number of postoperative cholangitis episodes one year after surgery was significantly lower in the spur group than in the control group (1 [0-3] vs. 3 [0-9], p = 0.04). The jaundice-free survival rate with the native liver at one year after surgery was significantly higher in the spur group (100% vs. 53%, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Adding a spur valve during Lap-PE significantly lowered the number of cholangitis episodes 1 year after surgery.
PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of adding a spur valve to laparoscopic portoenterostomy for patients with biliary atresia. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of all patients diagnosed with biliary atresia (BA) who underwent laparoscopic portoenterostomy (Lap-PE) between 2013 and 2021. The patients were divided into two groups: Lap-PE with a spur valve (spur group) and without it (control group). Perioperative management was the same in both groups. We compared patient backgrounds and clinical outcomes, including jaundice clearance and the number of postoperative cholangitis episodes. RESULTS: Of 63 patients reviewed, 16 received a spur valve. There were no statistically significant differences in the patient backgrounds between the groups. All patients in the spur group achieved jaundice clearance. The number of postoperative cholangitis episodes one year after surgery was significantly lower in the spur group than in the control group (1 [0-3] vs. 3 [0-9], p = 0.04). The jaundice-free survival rate with the native liver at one year after surgery was significantly higher in the spur group (100% vs. 53%, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Adding a spur valve during Lap-PE significantly lowered the number of cholangitis episodes 1 year after surgery.