Introduction to Biliary Atresia

This book offers a comprehensive overview of the latest standard medical procedures and surgical techniques for biliary atresia (BA), as well as the perioperative care, long-term follow-up and transitions. Experts on pediatrics in such fields as hepatology, surgery, pathology, and liver transplantation present their research findings and analyses of this rare and intractable disease of unknown etiology. In Japan, shared experience and sound understanding based on conferences and guidelines have led to standardization of management and clinical care and, as a result, better outcomes.

Providing insights into improving surgical outcomes, and including special chapters focusing on social support systems for patients and families as well as recent advances in early diagnosis, this book a valuable resource for medical professionals around the globe who are involved in treating biliary atresia. It is especially useful for pediatric hepatologists, pediatric surgeons and transplant surgeons.

Masaki Nio, M.D., Ph.D., ACSF

Masaki Nio is Professor and Chief of Pediatric Surgery at Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine and Director of Pediatric Medical Center of Tohoku University Hospital. In 1981, he completed a M.D. course at Tohoku University School of Medicine. In 1983, he joined the Second Department of Surgery, Tohoku University Hospital, which Professor Morio Kasai presided over from 1963 to 1986. In 1987, he completed a Ph.D. course in Pediatric Surgery at Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine. From 1991 to 1993, he worked as a research fellow in Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, USA. He served as the President of Japanese Society of Pediatric Surgeons, a Board Member of Japan Surgical Society, a Board Member of Pacific Association of Pediatric Surgeons, the Chairman of Japanese Biliary Atresia Society, and so on. He has been a secretary general of Japanese Biliary Atresia Society since 2008.