SynthesisFrontiers in pediatrics2026
Robotic-assisted vs. open and laparoscopic Kasai portoenterostomy for biliary atresia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in Frontiers in pediatrics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
2 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background: Biliary atresia is a progressive neonatal cholangiopathy that requires timely Kasai portoenterostomy to restore bile drainage and improve native liver survival. Robotic-assisted Kasai portoenterostomy (RAKPE) has recently emerged as a potential minimally invasive alternative to open Kasai portoenterostomy (OKPE) and laparoscopic Kasai portoenterostomy (LKPE). However, its comparative efficacy and safety remain uncertain. Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library for comparative studies published from January 1, 2000, to May 20, 2026. Eligible studies included children with biliary atresia who underwent RAKPE and were compared with patients treated by OKPE and/or LKPE. The primary outcomes were 6-month jaundice clearance and 1-year native liver survival. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated for dichotomous outcomes, and mean differences (MDs) were calculated for continuous outcomes. RAKPE was analyzed separately against OKPE and LKPE. Results: Five retrospective comparative studies were included. RAKPE showed short-term clinical outcomes that were generally comparable to those of OKPE and LKPE. The pooled estimates suggested a possible tendency toward higher jaundice clearance after RAKPE, but the differences were not statistically significant. Sensitivity analyses indicated that RAKPE might be associated with less intraoperative blood loss and shorter hospital stay in selected comparisons. These perioperative findings were influenced by individual studies and should therefore be interpreted as preliminary. Conclusion: Current comparative evidence suggests that RAKPE can achieve jaundice clearance, native liver survival, and postoperative cholangitis outcomes similar to those of OKPE and LKPE in children with biliary atresia. The robotic approach may have advantages in selected perioperative outcomes, but longer operative time remains a consistent drawback. Because the available evidence is based on a small number of retrospective studies, multicenter prospective studies with standardized outcome definitions and longer follow-up are needed before the role of RAKPE can be defined more firmly. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420261401089, PROSPERO CRD420261401089.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.