Abstract

Over the past 25 year obstetricians have developed multrple techuiques to diagnose fetal abnormalities whether they be structural or functional. Such diagnoses have allowed couples the option of pregnancy termination when legally permissible. In selective situations it has become possible to correct some abnormalities. In general, structural abnormalities have suggested surgical approaches, whereas metabolic abnormalities have generally been treated pharmacologically or genetically. Over the past few years there have been a number of advances in surgical therapies, some of which will be detailed here.

Abstract

Biliary atresia is a rare but important disease ofinfancy having an incidence ofabout 1 in 16,000 births. In most infants the disease process involves both the intra- and extra hepatic par ts of the biliary system (Fig. 1) and histologically it has been characterized as a panductular cholangiopathy. Destruction and disappearance ofbiliary structures is progressive.