Summary
In many children with cholestasis, ultrasonography can rule out the possibility of biliary atresia. In the few cases when a diagnosis cannot be established by ultrasonography, laparoscopy is still justified as an initial procedure, as the amount of trauma involved is still minimal. Of the 36 children with cholestasis on which a laparoscopy was performed, one-third eventually underwent laparotomy because of biliary atresia. The question was whether the primary laparoscopy was really advantageous. In comparison to laparotomy no advantages were found with regard to anesthesia time; morbidity, or complications. The diagnostic accuracy was comparable to that of laparotomy. The only complication was a small scar hernia in a premature baby.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Alagille D (1984) Extrahepatic biliary atresia. Hepatology 4: 7S-10S
Dressler J, Kerremans I, Schweizer P (1988) Efficacy of hepatobiliary scintigraphy in the differential diagnosis of neonatal cholestasis and postoperative follow-up after hepatoporto-digestive anastomosis. Z Kinderchir 43: 81–87
Gans SL (1983) The technique of laparoscopy. In: Gans SL (ed) Pediatric endoscopy. Grune & Stratton, New York, pp 161–168
Schweizer P, Müller G (1984) Gallengangsatresie. HIppokrates, Stuttgart
Stauffer UG (1983) Laparoscopy in hepatology and hepatobiliary diseases. In: Gans SL (ed) Pediatric endoscopy. Grune & Stratton, New York, pp 161–168
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Schier, F., Waldschmidt, J. Experience with laparoscopy for the evaluation of cholestasis in newborns. Surg Endosc 4, 13–14 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00591404
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00591404