Treatment Duration
3 Hours
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Treatment Cost
₹ 2,00,000
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Table of Contents
Book Appointment for Kasai Procedure
The Kasai procedure treats Biliary atresia, a birth defect (congenital disorder) that can lead to liver cirrhosis or failure. A 2019 study by Ramachandran et al. showed successful Kasai procedures among 44% of children under 3 months and 29% over 3 months. It significantly improves liver functioning and prevents immediate liver failure in infants.
Parents often get concerned about surgical factors like the Kasai procedure scar, surgery benefits, risks, and cost. Have concerns or seek guidance about the best treatment for a child? Then, continue reading to learn about the surgery, cost, benefits and risks to make an informed decision.
Procedure Name | Kasai Procedure |
Alternative Name | Hepatoportoenterostomy, Kasai Portoenterostomy |
Conditions Treated | Biliary Atresia (Type I, IIa, IIb, and III) |
Benefits of Procedure | Improves Liver Function, Life Saving |
Treated By | Surgical Gastroenterologist |
You can check Kasai Procedure Cost here.
Biliary Atresia (BA) affects the bile ducts, leading to a blocked or absent bile flow from the liver to the gallbladder and small intestine. During the surgery, a surgeon creates a new pathway for bile drainage by connecting the liver directly to the small intestine.
This bypasses the blocked or missing bile ducts, allowing bile to flow more freely and improve liver function. The doctor replaces the damaged duct with a segment of the child's small intestine. This segment is joined to the liver. It acts as a new extrahepatic bile duct system.
The biliary system helps with digestion. It makes and stores bile, which breaks down fats. Bile has water, electrolytes, cholesterol, acids, and pigments.
The main organs of the hepatobiliary tract include:
Kasai operation is done for newborn babies. This procedure helps in managing biliary atresia among newborns. Usually, surgeons recommend the surgery if the baby is diagnosed with BA within 2-6 weeks after birth.
The common indications implying the need for treatment include:
The Kasai procedure done for BA is considered its primary treatment modality. As per the Japanese Association of Paediatric Surgery, the condition is classified into three grades:
Sometimes, there are various complexities detected with biliary atresia. It includes polysplenia (multiple small spleens), asplenia (absence of spleen), malrotation (abnormal positioning of small intestine) and heart defects. If any or all of these conditions are present, the condition is known as biliary atresia-splenic malformation syndrome (BASM).
The operation focuses on improving the bile flow and enhancing liver function. Are you curious about the other advantages of the treatment? Here are the prominent benefits of the surgery.
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Every patient carries certain doubts regarding what happens throughout the surgery. This section sheds light on the expected surgical preparation before and on the day of the surgery.
Before any surgical process, the healthcare team abides by a protocol to ensure the patient's overall safety.
On the day of surgery, the patient can be expected to undergo the following. Check the
The purpose of the surgery is to create a passage to allow the bile to drain directly from the liver into the small intestine, bypassing the gallbladder and the various ducts. The doctor will:
The aftercare provided and the at-home management strategies prescribed after surgery plays a significant role in patient recovery. Let’s explore the common care guidelines followed in the hospital before discharge and home remedies to abide after hospital release.
After the surgery, the healthcare professionals ensure the delivery of overall postoperative care. The standard care protocol includes the following:
It is important to abide by the surgeon's instructions after discharge from the hospital. Some general aspects to consider during at-home recovery are:
The first follow-up appointment is usually scheduled two weeks after hospital discharge to monitor liver function and growth.
The baby should also see a gastroenterologist and paediatric surgeon. Post-surgery, the patient should visit their doctor for five years to monitor the liver.
During the first follow-up visit, the patient can expect:
Like any other surgical procedure, the congenital disease treatment poses specific adverse healthcare indications. The prominent risks of the Kasai procedure include:
Early treatment of congenital issues like BA can enable newborns to live their lives to the complete capacity. The significance of the surgery can also be understood by knowing the complexities related to a delayed treatment. The most prominent risks are listed below:
Contact your surgeon immediately if you observe signs of infection or liver dysfunction after surgery, such as:
The cost of Kasai Procedure ranges from ₹2,00,000 to ₹4,00,000. The cost varies based on factors like the type of surgery (open or laparoscopic), the patient's condition and the chosen location, hospital, and surgeon.
Procedure Name | Cost Value |
Kasai Procedure | ₹2,00,000 to ₹4,00,000 |
The Kasai procedure is crucial for babies with biliary atresia as it reduces liver damage and may eliminate the need for future transplantation. However, post-surgery care and consulting a doctor for any concerning symptoms are essential.
Have concerns about how to proceed further? HexaHealth is here to provide a trustworthy solution for your baby's treatment journey. Our expert panel of doctors and consultants can assist you throughout the surgery, including guidance on insurance claims and health loans. Contact us now for assistance.
It is a paediatric surgery for biliary atresia. It focuses on restoring proper bile flow and promotes natural liver functioning. The surgery includes bypassing bile directly into the small intestine to avoid duct blockage.
The Kasai surgery is done when a baby is diagnosed with biliary atresia. It is a condition in babies where the bile gets blocked from flowing to the small intestine.
A Kasai procedure is a form of surgery that removes the damaged bile ducts from the bottom of the liver. This restores bile flow through the liver using a small intestine portion.
It is the primary treatment modality for a birth defect called Biliary Atresia. It leads to a congenital disability of the bile ducts, causing issues like jaundice, swollen belly, and digestion. If not treated timely, it can increase hepatic damage, resulting in liver cirrhosis and complete failure.
Kasai surgery is the primary treatment available for BA. It is an early surgical intervention which promotes effective hepatic functioning. If the procedure is not done timely or fails, then the baby may require liver transplantation.
According to research by Redkar et al., 2017 with 121 patients, the overall survival rate was almost 43% with native liver. The study also highlighted that 83% of patients showed no symptoms of jaundice after the operation.
Some of the complications of the Kasai surgery include:
Bleeding
Intestinal Infection or Cholangitis
Hepatic Fibrosis
Ascites (fluid leakage and accumulation in the abdominal cavity)
Recurrence of Symptoms
After the Kasai procedure, the baby is usually hospitalised for 6-10 days. Post-op care is given during this time. The baby's progress is monitored for 3-5 years after discharge to prevent complications. Follow-ups are scheduled for the first 3 months after surgery.
Owing to the digestive limitations and complexities associated with BA after Kasai surgery. The baby is prescribed with a specialised diet:
Unique baby diet according to its specific condition for at least 1 year after operation.
After 2-3 years, the baby must be provided with nutritional food. Thrice a day.
Fat-soluble vitamin supplements
Medium-chain Triglyceride (MCT) oil in food or supplements enhances growth and weight gain.
The long-term prognosis of babies after the surgery is highly beneficial, with 5-10 years of survival with their liver. Some patients can also survive through adulthood after the treatment through appropriate care and lifestyle. However, in some cases, if the procedure fails after three months or the patient experiences symptoms, relapse after a few years. Then, a liver transplant may be needed.
A gastroenterologist surgeon is considered the specialist for performing the surgery. While choosing or finding the best surgeon for the Kasai operation, you must consider the following:
Yes, the surgery is covered by health insurance as it is a medically necessary procedure. Almost all insurance providers provide complete coverage for the operation. However, to know more, it would be ideal to contact your insurance provider and go through your policy documents thoroughly.
Before the operation, blood tests are done to evaluate hepatic damage. An ultrasound accurately locates damaged bile ducts and the liver. The baby's weight, height, heart rate, pulse, and respiration are assessed to determine anaesthesia dosage. Pain medication and fluids are administered through an IV line.
The Kasai procedure is performed on newborns to treat biliary duct damage from birth. It can help prevent liver transplantation if conducted within 3 months of the baby's birth. If it is delayed, the complications increase significantly with an increased chance of procedure failure.
Both techniques are different in terms of their modality. The Kasai procedure helps restore the baby's bile flow and increases liver function. This allows the patient to sustain their liver. On the other hand, liver transplantation is considered in case of complete organ failure or excessive damage. It includes the replacement of the native liver (recipient) with another person's (donor).
Witnessing your child undergoing such complex surgery can be emotionally and mentally exhausting. It is best to prepare for the procedure by:
The signs and symptoms that suggest the need for surgery include:
The medical field continues researching and developing advanced patient safety and recovery techniques. Some of the ongoing studies include:
The Kasai surgery is safe and successful in most cases. However, unlike other surgeries, Kasai surgery may have certain risks and complications like postoperative infection, bleeding from the surgical site, intestinal blockage, etc.
Hepatic fibrosis after the surgery is another name for the kasai procedure scar. It is important for detecting and avoiding extensive liver damage after the operation.
After surgery, the surgical site is covered with dressings and a drain is attached for urine disposal. The baby is then moved to a recovery room and not fed for 2-3 days. The hospital stay typically lasts 7-10 days, during which the baby receives pain medication and fluids through a nasal tube.
Morio Kasai was a Japanese surgeon who invented the Kasai technique for treating biliary atresia in paediatric patients
All the articles on HexaHealth are supported by verified medically-recognized sources such as; peer-reviewed academic research papers, research institutions, and medical journals. Our medical reviewers also check references of the articles to prioritize accuracy and relevance. Refer to our detailed editorial policy for more information.
Last Updated on: 4 July 2024
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Dr Aman Priya Khanna is a well-known General Surgeon, Proctologist and Bariatric Surgeon currently associated with HealthFort Clinic, Health First Multispecialty Clinic in Delhi. He has 12 years of experience in General Surgery and worke...View More
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Book Appointment for Kasai Procedure