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Infant survives after rare surgery in Abu Dhabi

Burjeel Hospital, Abu Dhabi, recently performed a rare surgery on a five-month old infant to re-establish the bile flow from baby's liver to the intestine. The procedure is called portoenterostomy (also Kasai method) done. Biliary atresia is rare and only affects about one in every 18,000 infants, according to the US-based National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases. This life-threatening condition affects the liver and bile ducts in infants. This is the first time that such a surgery has been done in a private hospital in the UAE, as the procedure is available only in highly-specialised medical facilities.
"Baby Mohammed Ibrahim Kiani was brought to us with a case of neglected biliary atresia, presenting a scarred liver and jaundice. Infants in such a condition need a liver transplant, especially if they are not medically operated within the first 40 days after birth. Chances of successful outcome from surgery and survival lower as the infant gets older," said Prof. Dr. Amin El-Gohary, Consultant - Pediatric Surgery, at Burjeel Hospital.
"What is special about this case is not the complex surgery but the remarkable improvement of the jaundice after surgery. This is rarely achieved on neglected cases of biliary atresia," said Dr. El-Gohary.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi