Technical details in the surgical correction of extrahepatic biliary atresia.

As in any new operation, what appear to be minor variations in surgical methods may be crucial to the success or failure of the procedure. Extended biliary drainage has been achieved in infants with extrahepatic biliary atresia by adherence to the details of the surgical technique just described. To date, results appear to be better in those infants having the definitive operation at the time of the initial exploration. Consequently, it appears that surgeons undertaking operative exploration should be able to carry out the porticoenterostomy procedures.