Orthotopic transplantation of the liver in children with biliary atresia and polysplenia syndrome: report of two cases

Abstract

Biliary atresia is the most common indication for liver transplantation in infants and children, despite the advent of the Kasai operation. Coexisting anomalies, which have been noted in up to 27% of patients with biliary atresia, may form an association known as the "polysplenia syndrome," which includes (1) polysplenia, (2) midgut malrotation, (3) preduodenal portal vein, (4) absent prerenal inferior vena cava with azygos continuation, (5) situs inversus, (6) symmetric liver, (7) hepatic arterial anomalies, and (8) bilobed right lung with hyparterial bronchus. Two of 31 patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation for biliary atresia following failed portoenterostomy over the past 11 years manifested the polysplenia syndrome with absent prerenal inferior vena cava. The clinical course of these patients, constellation of anomalies, and technical adjustments required to perform liver transplantation are described. We do not believe that these complex congenital anomalies preclude liver transplantation.