Análise multivariada de variáveis relacionadas ao fluxo biliar e sobrevida pós-Kasai em pacientes com atresia biliar / Multivariate analysis of biliary flow-related factors and post-kasai survival in biliary atresia patients

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Biliary atresia represents the most common surgically treatable cause of cholestasis in newborns. If not corrected, secondary biliary cirrhosis invariably results. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate, through multivariate analysis, the prognostic factors associated with the presence of biliary flow and survival with the native liver following Kasai portoenterostomy. METHODS: The study analyzed data from 117 biliary atresia patients who underwent portoenterostomy and had suitable histological material for evaluation. A logistic regression model was used to assess the presence of biliary flow. Survival was investigated through Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox-adjusted models. RESULTS: One third of patients achieved biliary flow and the median age at surgery was 81 days. Age at surgery, albumin, postoperative complications, biliary atresia structural malformation (BASM), liver architecture, larger duct diameter at porta hepatis, and cirrhosis (Ishak score) were the initial variables for the multivariate analysis. Age at surgery >90 days was the only variable associated with the absence of biliary drainage. Survival analysis revealed that the absence of biliary flow (P<0.0001), age at surgery >90 days (P=0.035), and the presence of BASM (P<0.0001), alone, could predict death or need for liver transplantation. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the absence of biliary flow (P<0.0001 hazard ratio [HR] 6.25, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.19-12.22) and the presence of BASM (P=0.014 HR 2.16, 95% CI 1.17-3.99) were associated with lowest survival with the native liver. CONCLUSION: Age at surgery >90 days was associated with absence of biliary flow. The presence of biliary drainage and the absence of structural malformations are cornerstone features for higher survival rates with the native liver.

RESUMO CONTEXTO: A atresia biliar representa a principal causa de colestase tratada cirurgicamente durante o período neonatal. Se a criança não for operada, ela evolui invariavelmente para cirrose biliar secundária. OBJETIVO: Avaliar, através de análise multivariada, os fatores prognósticos associados à presença de fluxo biliar e à sobrevida com fígado nativo após a realização da portoenterostomia de Kasai. MÉTODOS: O estudo analisou 117 pacientes com atresia biliar submetidos à portoenterostomia e com material histológico adequado para avaliação. O modelo de regressão logística foi utilizado para avaliar a presença de fluxo biliar. Sobrevida foi estudada através das curvas Kaplan-Meier e ajuste do modelo de Cox. RESULTADOS: Um terço dos pacientes obteve fluxo biliar e a mediana de idade à cirurgia foi de 81 dias. Idade à cirurgia, albumina, complicação pós-operatória, BASM (do inglês, biliary atresia structural malformation), arquitetura hepática, diâmetro do maior canalículo no porta hepatis e cirrose, segundo o escore de Ishak, foram as variáveis iniciais da análise multivariada. Idade à cirurgia maior que 90 dias de vida foi a única variável associada à ausência de drenagem biliar. A análise de sobrevida mostrou que as variáveis: ausência de fluxo biliar (P<0,0001), idade à cirurgia maior que 90 dias (P=0,035) e presença de BASM (P<0,0001), isoladamente, predizem morte ou necessidade de transplante hepático. Na análise multivariada, ausência de fluxo biliar (P<0,0001 HR:6,25 [IC95% 3,19; 12,22]) e presença de BASM (P=0,014 HR:2,16 [IC95% 1,17; 3,99]) mostraram-se associadas, com significância estatística, a menor sobrevida com fígado nativo. CONCLUSÃO: Idade à cirurgia maior que 90 dias foi identificada como fator de risco independente para ausência de fluxo biliar. Além disso, a presença de drenagem biliar e a ausência de malformações estruturais da atresia biliar são variáveis fundamentais para a maior sobrevida com fígado nativo.

Current management of biliary atresia based on 35 years of experience at a single center

OBJECTIVE: The prognosis of patients with biliary atresia undergoing Kasai portoenterostomy is related to the timing of the diagnosis and the indication for the procedure. The purpose of the present study is to present a practical flowchart based on 257 children who underwent Kasai portoenterostomy. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent Kasai portoenterostomy between 1981 and 2016. RESULTS: During the first period (1981 to 2009), 230 infants were treated, and the median age at the time of surgery was 84 days; jaundice was resolved in 77 patients (33.5%). During the second period, from 2010 to 2016, a new diagnostic approach was adopted to shorten the wait time for portoenterostomy; an ultrasonography examination suggestive of the disease was followed by primary surgical exploration of the biliary tract without complementary examination or liver biopsy. Once the diagnosis of biliary atresia was confirmed, a portoenterostomy was performed during the same surgery. During this period, 27 infants underwent operations; the median age at the time of surgery was 66 days (p<0.001), and jaundice was resolved in 15 patients (55.6% - p=0.021), with a survival rate of the native liver of 66.7%. CONCLUSION: Primary surgical exploration of the biliary tract without previous biopsy was effective at improving the prognostic indicators of patients with biliary atresia undergoing Kasai portoenterostomy.

BILIARY ATRESIA: evaluation on two distinct periods at a reference pediatric service / Atresia biliar: avaliação em dois períodos distintos em um serviço de referência

Context Biliary atresia is a progressive, idiopathic, fibro-obliterative disease of the extrahepatic biliary tree that pre­sents with biliary obstruction exclusively in the neonatal period. Objectives To assess the differences regarding age at referral, age at surgery, duration of propaedeutics and waiting time for surgery between two groups of infants in different periods. Methods Retrospective study of infants diagnosed with biliary atresia on two periods: 1983-1993 and 1998-2011. Results Biliary atresia was diagnosed in 129 infants, being 48 in casuistic I and 81 in casuistic II. The median age at admission was 94 and 60 days, respectively (P = 0.0001). On evaluating patients who had undergone portoenterostomy before 120 days of age, no difference was observed regarding the duration of propaedeutics or waiting time for surgery (P = 0.15), but difference was found when comparing the age at surgery (P = 0.002). Among those infants with no biliary flow and without liver transplantation or death after 18 post-operative months, the estimated probability of survival was 44.6% and 38.7% in casuistics I and II, respectively. In casuistic I, all infants who showed biliary flow were alive during the observation period and, in casuistic II, 80.3% were alive after 7 years of follow-up. Conclusions Even though patients were admitted and treated earlier, it is clear that surgery could be done sooner. Delay in referral and timely propaedeutics were the main contributors. .

Contexto A atresia biliar é uma doença progressiva, idiopática, fibro obliterativa, da vias bilares extra hepáticas que se apresenta com obstrução biliar exclusivamente no periodo neonatal. Objetivos Caracterizar duas épocas distintas visando avaliar se ocorreram alterações quanto a idade de encaminhamento das crianças, idade cirúrgica, duração do tempo entre internação e realização da cirurgia de Kasai, resultados cirúrgicos quanto a presença de fluxo biliar e sobrevida entre dois períodos. Métodos Estudo retrospectivo de crianças com diagnóstico de atresia biliar em dois períodos: 1983-1993 e 1998-2011. Resultados Foram admitidas 129 crianças com diagnóstico de AB, 48 (casuística I) e 81 (casuística II), com idade de admissão mediana de 94 e 60 dias, nas casuísticas I e II, respectivamente (P = 0,0001). Na avaliação dos pacientes submetidos à portoenterostomia com idade até 120 dias de vida, não houve diferença em relação ao tempo entre internação e realização da cirurgia de Kasai (P = 0,15), mas ocorreu ao comparar a idade à cirurgia entre os dois períodos (P = 0,002). A probabilidade estimada de sobrevida dos pacientes sem fluxo biliar livre de transplante ou óbito em 18 meses foi de 44,6%, 38,7% nas casuísticas I e II, respectivamente. Com fluxo biliar, todos estavam vivos ao longo do seguimento da casuística I e 80,3% em sete anos na casuística II. Conclusões Apesar dos pacientes chegarem mais cedo e serem submetidos à portoenterostomia, ainda se opera tarde. Encaminhamento tardio e a propedêutica prolongada são os principais contribuintes. Quanto maior a idade cirúrgica, menor a probabilidade de se obter fluxo biliar e consequentemente menor sobrevida. .

Atresia biliar: a experiência Brasileira / Biliary atresia: the Brazilian experience

OBJETIVO: Avaliar as características epidemiológicas, clínicas e prognósticas de crianças com atresia biliar. MÉTODOS: Dados sobre portoenterostomia, transplante hepático (TxH), idade no último seguimento e sobrevida foram coletados dos prontuários de pacientes acompanhados em seis centros no Brasil (1982-2008) e comparados em relação às décadas do procedimento cirúrgico. RESULTADOS: Dos 513 pacientes, 76,4 por cento foram submetidos a portoenterostomia [idade: 60,0-94,7 (82,6±32,8) dias] e 46,6 por cento foram submetidos a TxH. Em 69 por cento dos casos, o TxH foi realizado após a portoenterostomia, enquanto em 31 por cento dos casos o TxH foi realizado como cirurgia primária. Os pacientes da região Nordeste foram submetidos a portoenterostomia mais tardiamente do que as crianças das regiões Sul (p = 0,008) e Sudeste (p = 0,0012), embora, mesmo nas duas últimas regiões, a idade no momento da portoenterostomia tenha sido superior ao desejável. Ao longo das décadas, houve aumento progressivo do número de TxH realizados. A sobrevida global foi de 67,6 por cento. A sobrevida aumentou nas últimas décadas (anos 1980 versus 1990, p = 0,002; anos 1980 versus 2000, p < 0,001; anos 1990 versus 2000, p < 0,001). A sobrevida de 4 anos pós-portoenterostomia, com ou sem TxH, foi de 73,4 por cento, inversamente correlacionada à idade no momento da portoenterostomia (80, 77,7, 60,5 por cento para < 60, 61-90, > 90 dias, respectivamente). Os pacientes transplantados apresentaram taxas de sobrevida mais elevadas (88,3 por cento). A sobrevida de 4 anos com fígado nativo foi de 36,8 por cento, inversamente correlacionada à idade no momento da portoenterostomia (54, 33,3, 26,6 por cento para < 60, 61-90, > 90 dias, respectivamente). CONCLUSÕES: Este estudo multicêntrico demonstrou que o encaminhamento tardio das crianças portadoras de atresia biliar ainda é um problema no Brasil, influenciando a sobrevida destes pacientes. Estratégias que proporcionam o encaminhamento precoce estão sendo desenvolvidas com o objetivo de reduzir a necessidade de transplante hepático nos primeiros anos de vida.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate epidemiological, clinical and prognostic characteristics of children with biliary atresia. METHODS: Data regarding portoenterostomy, liver transplantation (LTx), age at last follow-up and survival were collected from the records of patients followed up in six Brazilian centers (1982-2008) and compared regarding decades of surgery. RESULTS: Of 513 patients, 76.4 percent underwent portoenterostomy [age: 60-94.7 (82.6±32.8) days] and 46.6 percent underwent LTx. In 69 percent of cases, LTx followed portoenterostomy, whereas in 31 percent of cases LTx was performed as the primary surgery. Patients from the Northeast region underwent portoenterostomy later than infants from Southern (p = 0.008) and Southeastern (p = 0.0012) Brazil, although even in the latter two regions age at portoenterostomy was higher than desirable. Over the decades, LTx was increasingly performed. Overall survival was 67.6 percent. Survival increased over the decades (1980s vs. 1990s, p = 0.002; 1980s vs. 2000s, p < 0.001; 1990s vs. 2000s, p < 0.001). The 4-year post-portoenterostomy survival, with or without LTx, was 73.4 percent, inversely correlated with age at portoenterostomy (80, 77.7, 60.5 percent for < 60, 61-90, > 90 days, respectively). Higher survival rates were observed among transplanted patients (88.3 percent). The 4-year native liver survival was 36.8 percent, inversely correlated with age at portoenterostomy (54, 33.3, 26.6 percent for < 60, 61-90, > 90 days, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This multicenter study showed that late referral for biliary atresia is still a problem in Brazil, affecting patient survival. Strategies to enhance earlier referral are currently being developed aiming to decrease the need for liver transplantation in the first years of life.

Atresia biliar: continuamos operando tarde / Biliary atresia: we still operate too late

OBJETIVO: Analisar a idade na cirurgia de crianças com atresia biliar e a sobrevida sem necessidade de transplante de fígado. O estudo foi realizado no Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. MÉTODOS: Foram revisados os prontuários dos pacientes operados entre 1982 e 2007, residentes no Rio Grande do Sul. RESULTADOS: Dos 112 casos estudados de crianças com atresia biliar, 38 (33,9 por cento) ocorreram de 1982 a 1989, 46 (41,1 por cento) de 1990 a 1999 e 28 (25,0 por cento) a partir de 2000. Em 12 (10,7 por cento) casos, não foi realizada a portoenterostomia. A idade na cirurgia variou de 25 a 297 dias (mediana: 80,5; IIQ25-75: 61,3-109,0 dias); em 20,5 por cento dos casos, a idade das crianças foi menor do que 60 dias. Não houve diferença na idade, no momento do diagnóstico, entre as 3 décadas. Os pacientes do interior do estado (mediana: 87,0; IIQ25-75: 69,0-115,0 dias) foram encaminhados significativamente (p = 0,007) mais tarde do que os da região metropolitana de Porto Alegre (RS) (mediana: 68,0; IIQ25-75: 55,5-98,0 dias). A proporção de pacientes com menos de 60 dias foi significativamente menor (p = 0,013) nos oriundos do interior. A sobrevida com fígado nativo do total dos pacientes foi de 46,2 por cento em 2 anos, diminuindo progressivamente até 15,3 por cento em 20 anos. Os pacientes operados com menos de 60 dias tiveram maior sobrevida com fígado nativo (log rank < 0,0001). CONCLUSÕES: A portoenterostomia se manteve tardia nos últimos 25 anos, e esse atraso determinou menor tempo de sobrevida com fígado nativo nos pacientes com atresia biliar.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the age at surgery for children with biliary atresia and their survival periods without need for liver transplantation. The study was performed at Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, in Porto Alegre, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. METHODS: The medical records of patients operated between 1982 and 2007 who were residents of the state of Rio Grande do Sul were reviewed. RESULTS: Of the 112 cases of children with biliary atresia studied, 38 (33.9 percent) occurred between 1982 and 1989, 46 (41.1 percent) between 1990 and 1999 and 28 (25.0 percent) after 2000. Portoenterostomy was not performed for 12 cases (10.7 percent). Age at surgery ranged from 25 to 297 days (median: 80.5; IQR25-75: 61.3-109.0 days); for 20.5 percent of cases, the age was below 60 days. There was no age difference at diagnosis for the three decades in the study. Patients from the countryside (median: 87.0; IQR25-75: 69.0-115.0 days) were referred significantly later (p = 0.007) than those living in Porto Alegre and the metropolitan area (median: 68.0; IQR25-75: 55.5-98.0 days). The ratio of patients younger than 60 days was significantly lower (p = 0.013) for those from the countryside. Survival periods with native liver for all patients was 46.2 percent in 2 years, falling continuously until reaching 15.3 percent in 20 years. Patients operated before reaching 60 days of age had longer survival periods with native livers (log rank < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Late performance of portoenterostomy was a constant in the past 25 years, and this delay led to shorter survival periods with native livers for biliary atresia patients.

Factores histológicos como elemento de valor pronóstico en atresia de vias biliares / Histologic factors as an element of prognosis value in biliary atresia

Biliary atresia (BA) is one of the biliary tree anomaly more frecuent. Occurs in about 0,8 to 1/10.000 live births. BA is defined as a progressive biliary tree. The prognosis depends ond the age of the diagnosis and precocity surgery. We present the resuls of a retrospective analysis of 71 RA carried out at the Garrahan Hospital from 1987 to 1993. 47 were female and 24 were male. Age ranged from 45 to 120 days of life. This study involved a consecutive series of 58 patients with histopathologic study of Porta-hepatis (PH) and liver biopsy obteined during the Kasai. The purpose of this study was to determine the value of histological factors as type of PH and hepatocitic giant cell transformation (GCT). 82.8 per cent had favorable type of PH and the CCT was mild in 84,5 per cent. 72,4 per cent had bad outcome and was independent of the type of PH. Neither of them were statiscaly significant with survive and evolution. In our serice neither PH non CGT were predicators of a bad outcome. There were good outcome in 27.5 per cent, died 37,9 per cent and 10.3 per cent undergo liver transplantation. The precocity in a diagnosis and surgical procedure before two months of age are the most important factors in correlation with survival. Others immunomorphologic factors must be estudied in BA that explained the ethiopatogenic process. Orthotopic liver transplantation is the succesful therapy in childrens with BA.

Síndrome colestático neonatal: perspectiva y manejo médico-quirúrgico / Neonatal cholestasis. A review of the surgical treatment

El síndrome colestático neonatal obedece a múltiples causas, muchas de las cuales son aún desconocidas; el diagnóstico diferencial suele realizarse en mucho tiempo, lo cual repercute negativamente en la evolución y el pronóstico del lactante con ictericia obstructiva susceptible de corrección quirúrgica. La responsabilidad de agilizar su envío a los servicios quirúrgicos y/o continuar su estudio en el menor tiempo posible, reside en el pediatra clínico. En esta revisión se señalan las causas más frecuentes de colestasis neonatal que requieren tratamiento quirúrgico temprano, se sugiere una estrategia de toma de decisiones rápida para mejorar los resultados a corto y mediano plazo, con las técnicas actuales de tratamiento