MovieChat Forums > Rizzoli & Isles (2010) Discussion > Biliary Atresia

Biliary Atresia

posted 8 years ago by txbardtobe
4 replies | jump to latest

Sorry, I realize this was over a week ago, but I had to vent.

I did a presentation on biliary atresia for my A&P class. So I was surprised when Maura (who seems so well-read on medical research literature) did not know there is a treatment available for a baby with BA. The Kasai procedure is a surgical procedure where the dysfunctional (or absent) bile ducts are bypassed and the liver empties directly into the small intestine. However, if the procedure is not successful or if the baby's liver is already damaged, there is a small chance of a liver transplant. Of course, that would have been expensive and there may not have been a viable donor match. But I don't even recall her mentioning any of that as a possibility.

[–] cosmic_surveyor 8 years ago

if the baby's liver is already damaged,

I think Maura took that position based on the metrics. Only when the metrics changed did Maura's optimism rose.

_______

Est modus in rebus sunt certi denique fines quos ultra citraque nequit consistere rectum Goldilocks

[–] cruisemama98 8 years ago

I totally agree with you. My initial reaction to hearing the child's diagnosis was "Transplant!" I was shocked to hear Maura say there was no treatment available and the child's condition was terminal.

[–] kristyroper 8 years ago

I completely agree and appreciate your post. The options could have been addressed. If they wanted the episode to be about Maura having to deal with a case where there was no hope, there are diseases where, unfortunately, that is the case. To present this disease without mentioning options was irresponsible and terrifying to someone with a child who is going through that and even disturbing to someone whose child has been blessed enough to come through it. My son was born with biliary atresia. He had the Kasai procedure at 7 weeks and later a transplant at age two. He is now 16, and I thank God every day for him and this blessing. Many times the outlook was so leak we did not know if these options would be enough or if he would even be able to be a viable candidate. But knowing the possibilities existed got us through. While I appreciate the aspect of prayer being shared on the show, otherwise it was wrong. It could have promoted organ donation and potentially helped save real life children with the rate but terribly real disease of biliary atresia. I have enjoyed this show from the beginning. While I realize this hit a very personal nerve, I am nonetheless extremely disappointed.

[–] kristyroper 8 years ago

Also, her labs being "almost normal" would not last. It was just ridiculous. The Lord does work in mysterious ways, and I do believe in miracles. I believe my son had several on his journey. But other tests would have been run to see what turn around had happened and if further courses of action were needed regardless of if it was a miracle. It was too cliche trying to show Maura had the ability to see beyond science. Don't cram such an important topic about a terminal (without risky interventions with far too limited availability) childhood disease flippantly. I don't even know that I will be watching the final two episodes.