Japanese biliary atresia registry.

Abstract

The Japanese Biliary Atresia Registry (JBAR) was launched in 1989 by the Japanese Biliary Atresia Society (JBAS) to investigate the epidemiology and etiology of biliary atresia and to improve surgical outcomes. The JBAR collects data through initial, liver transplantation, and follow-up questionnaires. Pediatric surgeons from JBAS member institutions and hospitals affiliated with the Japanese Society of Pediatric Surgeons are responsible for registering patients and submitting data through an online system. Each patient is to be followed up for 40 years. As of 2023, 3951 patients had been registered, with 1688 undergoing liver transplantation. The native liver survival rates in the 10th, 20th, and 30th year surveys were 50.5%, 44.4%, and 40.9%, respectively. The overall survival rates in the 10th, 20th, and 30th year surveys were 88.9%, 87.6%, and 85.7%, respectively. The surgical outcome of biliary atresia has markedly improved owing to the cooperation between Kasai portoenterostomy and liver transplantation. A comprehensive Japanese database of patients with biliary atresia (https://jbas.net/en/national-registration/) is now available.