[Pathomorphology and therapy of bile duct hypoplasia and -atresia: - lymphodigestive bile drainage (author's transl)].

In the treatment of extrahepatic biliary atresia Kasai's hepatic-porto-enterostomy brought an important improvement. A bile drainage from the liver into the bowel can be achieved in about 40% of the children suffering from extrahepatic bile duct atresia. Long-term results are nevertheless disappointing because cholangitis and the progression of fibrosis and the original disease aggravate the final results. Supported by the results of animal experiments and clinical findings we studied the possibility of bile drainage together with the hepatic lymph into the bowel. In the animal experiments we succeeded in developing a successful method. The method of operation is described and reasons are mentioned. The first clinical results achieved with a small number of patients are reported and some open questions are put up for discussion.