With all the research Nick and I have done about the Kasai procedure, we learned this about the success rates. With 1/3 the surgery works and kids never need a transplant, with another 1/3 the surgery works but only temporarily and kids will need a transplant later down the road, usually well after a year or so, and finally the last 1/3 the Kasai does not work and a transplant is needed within one year. Dr. Book said at Primary Chilren’s the success rate is actually around 80% rather than 2/3, which is wonderful! However, because biliary atresia is a progressive and chronic disease, some of those 80% will still end up needing a transplant. There is just not enough research done yet to say any specifics of how many and when.
I went in for Charlie’s appointment with Dr. Book in the liver clinic. I hadn’t had the chance to meet her yet, but I had heard wonderful things from other parents. After looking at Charlie’s labs and hearing that his stools were yellow/green, she said that Charlie’s surgery has worked!! His bilirubin when we first went into the hospital was around 8. Now it is down to 2.2! Also, his conjugated bilirubin is 0.2, within normal limits! His liver seems to be flushing out the excess bile quite nicely. Nick and I are so happy! We have been so blessed to have the support and prayers from family and friends. Thank you all so much!
No comments:
Post a Comment