Role of Kasai procedure in surgery of hilar bile duct strictures

AIM：To assess the application of the Kasai procedure in the surgical management of hilar bile duct strictures.METHODS：Ten consecutive patients between 2005 and 2011 with hilar bile duct strictures who underwent the Kasai procedure were retrospectively analyzed.Kasai portoenterostomy with the placement of biliary stents was performed in all patients.Clinical characteristics,postoperative complications,and long-term outcomes were analyzed.All patients were followed up for 2-60 mo postoperatively.RESULTS：Patients were classified according to the Bismuth classification of biliary strictures.There were two Bismuth Ⅲ and eight Bismuth Ⅳ lesions.Six lesions were benign and four were malignant.Of the benign lesions,three were due to post-cholecystectomy injury,one to trauma,one to inflammation,and one to inflammatory pseudotumor.Of the malignant lesions,four were due to hilar cholangiocarcinoma.All patients underwent Kasai portoenterostomy with the placement of biliary stents.There were no perioperative deaths.One patient experienced anastomotic leak and was managed conservatively.No other complications occurred perioperatively.During the follow-up period,all patients reported a good quality of life.CONCLUSION：The Kasai procedure combined with biliary stents may be appropriate for patients with hilar biliary stricture that cannot be managed by standard surgical methods.