活体肝移植的胆道重建技术及并发症分析

目的 探讨活体肝移植的胆道重建方法及并发症防治措施.方法 回顾性分析77例活体肝移植临床资料,其中74例行右半肝移植(带肝中静脉29例,不带肝中静脉45例),左半肝带肝中静脉1例,左外叶切取2例.胆道重建采用胆肠吻合或供肝肝管与受体肝管端端吻合.结果 供肝断面1个胆管开口为54例,多个胆管开口为23例;胆肠吻合2例,胆管端端吻合75例,63例留置T管;术后总体胆道并发症发生率为36.4%(28/77),其中胆漏为10.4%(8/77),胆道狭窄为26.0%(20/77).供肝单支胆道以及单个吻合口术后胆道狭窄的发生率明显低于多支胆道及多个吻合口(P<0.05).8例胆漏病人经过B超指引穿刺引流全部治愈,20例吻合口狭窄病人经T管窦道放置支撑管或通过ERCP进行扩张,肝功能全部或部分好转.结论 活体肝移植供肝切取术中注意对断面胆管血供的保护以及尽可能获得单一的肝管开口可有效减少术后胆道并发症的发生;内镜和放射介入技术是治疗胆道并发症的有效手段.     

Removable intraductal stenting in duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction in liver transplantation

Biliary reconstruction during liver transplantation (LT) is most oftenly performed by duct-to-duct biliary anastomosis. We hypothesized that the internal stenting might diminish the incidence and severity of biliary complications in patients receiving small duct size donor grafts. The purpose of this study was to report a technique of biliary reconstruction, including intraductal stent tube (IST) placement followed by postoperative endoscopic removal. A custom-made segment of a T-tube was placed into the bile in 20 patients in whom the diameter of the graft bile duct was smaller than 5 mm. The tube was removed endoscopically 4-8 months after LT, or in case of IST-related adverse events. After a median follow-up of 15.2 (range 2.5-27.5) months, endoscopic removal of the IST was performed in 17 patients. No technical failure and no procedure-related complications were recorded during drain removal. Biliary complications occurred in four patients, including one cholangitis, one hemobilia, one asymptomatic biliary leakage, and one anastomotic stricture. No biliary complication occurred in the group of patients who underwent deceased donor whole graft LT. IST is technically feasible and safe, and may help to prevent severe biliary complication when duct-to-duct biliary anastomosis is performed on small size bile ducts.     

肝移植术中不留置T型管指征的探讨

目的 探讨肝移植术中不留置T型管,以降低与T管相关胆道并发症的发生率.方法 对2004年1月至2006年10月的肝移植患者进行前瞻性临床研究.在此期间内符合指征未留置T管的患者102例,观察本组患者胆道并发症的发生率.结果 本组患者均随访6个月以上.胆道并发症的发生率是4.9%(5/102),其中3例为肝内胆管多发性狭窄,均行再次肝移植;2例为肝总管非吻合口狭窄,经ERCP行球囊扩张并放置胆道内支撑管3个月后治愈.结论 对符合指征的肝移植患者术中不留置T管是安全的,可避免T管相关并发症,降低胆道总体并发症的发生率.     

内镜逆行胰胆管造影术治疗肝移植术后并发胆管结石受者临床分析

目的探讨肝移植术后并发胆管结石受者行内镜逆行胰胆管造影术(ERCP)治疗的安全性和有效性。 方法回顾性分析南京军区福州总医院肝胆外科2005年1月至2015年12月肝移植术后并发胆管结石受者的临床资料。24例受者胆管结石确诊主要依据T管造影、MRCP或ERCP。确诊胆管结石受者均采用ERCP下行球囊扩张联合胆道塑料支架置入治疗,术中采用地西泮镇静,同时密切监测生命体征。观察肝移植术后并发胆管结石受者结石类型、狭窄情况、ERCP治疗情况及其治疗前后肝功能指标变化。采用Wilcoxon符号秩和检验比较ERCP治疗前后受者血清总胆红素(TBil)、碱性磷酸酶(ALP)、谷氨酰转肽酶(GGT)、ALT和AST水平变化。P<0.05为差异有统计学意义。 结果24例受者中胆总管结石20例(包括单纯胆总管结石11例、胆总管结石合并胆管狭窄9例),肝内、外胆管结石4例。肝移植至并发胆管结石平均间隔时间(604±215)d。19例发生在术后12～66个月,余5例发生在术后3个月内。11例胆总管结石受者采用柱状球囊扩张＋取石篮取石＋胆总管置入内支架引流治疗,治疗有效。9例胆总管结石合并胆管狭窄受者采用柱状球囊扩张＋取石篮取石＋胆总管置入内支架＋鼻胆管引流治疗,其中8例治疗有效;1例因重度胆管狭窄,反复内镜取石不能取尽,继发感染再次行肝移植。4例肝内、外胆管结石受者均采用柱状球囊扩张＋取石篮取石＋左、右肝管置入内支架＋鼻胆管引流治疗,治疗有效。受者内镜治疗后血清TBil、ALP和GGT分别为31、179和247 mmol/L,均低于内镜治疗前水平(43、273和385 mmol/L),差异均有统计学意义(z＝0.042、0.001、0.004,P均<0.05)。截至2017年12月,24例受者随访时间为1～2年,4例因原发性肝癌复发分别于肝移植术后9、5、34、25个月死亡,1例因上消化道出血于肝移植术后34个月死亡,1例因重度胆管狭窄行二次肝移植并于2014年4月因肝脓肿继发感染性休克死亡,1例因感染性休克于肝移植术后33个月死亡,其余17例随访期间未见结石再发。 结论内镜下行球囊扩张联合塑料支架置入治疗原位肝移植术后并发胆管结石安全、有效,可作为目前原位肝移植术后并发胆管结石的首选治疗方案。     

Duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction in pediatric liver transplantation: one center's results

In pediatric liver transplantation, both for cadaveric and living-related patients, the Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy is often preferable to biliary reconstruction. Duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction in pediatric patients has been utilized only in a limited numbers of studies. Here, we retrospectively review our experience with duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction in pediatric liver transplantation patients. Since September 2001, 46 liver transplantations have been performed in 44 patients (29 boys and 15 girls of mean age, 8.4 +/- 5.5 years). For the anastomoses, a corner-saving suture technique was used with 6-0 or 7-0 polypropylene monofilament nonabsorbable suture. A T tube was used in three patients, and in 11 patients, a straight feeding tube was inserted from the recipient common bile duct to the anastomotic site. A transhepatic biliary catheter insertion technique was used in 28 patients for external bile drainage; the remaining four patients had no tubes or stents. Four patients developed bile leakage in the early postoperative period. Three of these patients were treated with percutaneous drainage with excellent outcomes; the remaining patient required reoperation with a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy for bile leakage. Four biliary stenoses occurred in the late postoperative period. All biliary stenoses were successfully treated with balloon dilatation. There was no mortality or graft loss due to biliary complications. Of the 44 original patients, 36 (82%) are well at this time, with optimal liver function during follow-up (2-34 months). The remaining eight (18%) died during the study from acute respiratory distress syndrome (n=2), sepsis with multiorgan failure (n=5), and intracranial bleeding (n=1). Our results showed that duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction is a safe and easy technique for pediatric patients.     

Intractable Biliary Strictures After Living Donor Liver Transplantation: A Case Series

BackgroundBiliary stricture (BS) is a severe complication after liver transplantation. It is difficult to treat, especially after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). We successfully treated 4 patients for intractable BS after LDLT. All patients had developed cholangitis with stenosis of bile ducts anastomosis.Case 1. A 65-year-old woman underwent LDLT with right lobe graft and duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction. Internal plastic stents inserted by endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) were changed quarterly for the next 2 years.Case 2A 55-year-old man underwent LDLT with right lobe graft and duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction. Insertion of internal plastic stents by ERC was attempted; however, the posterior bile duct branch showed complete obstruction. After percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTCD), the stents were inserted using the rendezvous technique of ERC and were changed by ERC quarterly for the next 3 years.Case 3A 22-year-old man underwent LDLT with left lobe graft and hepaticojejunostomy. An external drainage tube was inserted by PTCD, and stents were changed quarterly for the next 2 years.Case 4A 60-year-old man underwent LDLT with right lobe graft and hepaticojejunostomy. An external drainage tube was inserted by PTCD, and changed to a metallic stent after 1 year. Three months later the stent was extracted using the rendezvous technique of double balloon enteroscopy.ConclusionBS of complete obstruction type after LDLT is difficult to treat. Appropriate procedures should be chosen based on the types of strictures and biliary reconstruction methods.     

活体肝移植术后胆管并发症的处理与预防

目的 探讨活体肝移植术后胆管并发症的防治.方法 84例活体肝移植,成人56例.小儿28例;良性终末期肝病66例,肝细胞肝癌18例.供受体胆管端端吻合重建50例,供体肝管与受体肝管端端和胆总管端侧吻合重建1例,供体肝管与受体肝管和胆囊管吻合1例,供体胆管与受体空肠Roux-en-Y吻合重建32例,所有胆管莺建后均置入4Fr或6Fr内支架管从受体胆总管前壁或空肠袢肓端侧肠壁引出体外.结果 术后发生胆管并发症24例,发生率为28.5%,胆管胆管吻合与肝管空肠Roux-en-Y吻合胆漏发牛率差异显著(8.3%νs16.7%,P＜0.05).胆管胆管吻合与肝管空肠Roux-en-Y吻合胆管狭窄发生率差异显著(50%νs 16.7%,P＜0.05).单支胆管与多支胆管发生胆管并发症差异湿著(20.8%νs 79.2%,P＜0.05).胆漏者保守治疗治愈4例,再次手术治疗治愈4例;胆管狭窄内镜下球囊扩张和鼻胆管引流治疗治愈4例,好转2例,再次手术胆管空肠Roux-en-Y吻合治疗治愈6例,经皮肝脏穿刺胆管狭窄球囊扩张治疗支架管引流治疗好转4例.该组资料无因胆管并发症死亡病例.结论 良好的胆管血供和吻合技术,选择恰当的胆管重建方式,是降低活体肝移植术后胆管并发症的重要措施.     

Duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction in living donor liver transplantation utilizing right lobe graft

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility and safety of duct-to-duct biliary anastomosis for living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) utilizing the right lobe. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Biliary tract complications remain one of the most serious problems after liver transplantation. Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy has been a standard procedure for biliary reconstruction in LDLT with a partial hepatic graft. However, end-to-end choledochocholedochostomy is the technique of choice for biliary reconstruction and yields a more physiologic bilioenteric continuity than can be achieved with Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. The authors performed right lobe LDLT with end-to-end duct-to-duct biliary anastomosis, and this study assessed retrospectively the relation between the manner of reconstruction and complications. METHODS: Between July 1999 and December 2000, 51 patients (11-67 years of age) underwent 52 right lobe LDLTs with duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction and remained alive more than 1 month after their transplantation. Interrupted biliary anastomosis was performed for 24 transplants and the continuous procedure was used for 28. A biliary tube was inserted downward into the common bile ducts through the recipient's cystic duct in 16 transplants (cystic drainage), or a biliary stent tube was pushed upward into the anastomosis through the cystic duct in four transplants (cystic stent), or upward into the anastomosis through the wall of the common bile duct in 31 transplants (external stent). RESULTS: Biliary anastomotic procedures consisted of 34 single end-to-end anastomoses, 11 double end-to-end anastomoses, and 7 single anastomoses for double hepatic ducts. Overall, 5 patients developed leakage (9.6%) and 12 patients suffered stricture (23.0%). For biliary anastomosis with interrupted suture, the incidence of stricture was significantly higher in the cystic drainage group (53.3%, 8/15) than in the stent group consisting of cystic stent and external stent (0%, 0/8). While the respective incidences of leakage and stricture were 20% and 53.3% for intermittent suture with a cystic drainage tube (n = 15), they were 7.7% and 15.4% for a continuous suture with an external stent (n = 26). There was a significant difference in the incidence of stricture. CONCLUSIONS: Duct-to-duct reconstruction with continuous suture combined with an external stent represents a useful technique for LDLT utilizing the right lobe, but biliary complications remain significant.     

Duct-to-duct Biliary Reconstruction in Living-donor Liver Transplantation for Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis: Report of a Case

Although Roux-en Y hepaticojejunostomy was previously recommended for the biliary reconstruction in liver transplantation for primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), some recent reports showed no difference in the graft survival between Roux-en Y and duct-to-duct anastomosis in deceased-donor liver transplantation. On the other hand, considering the risk of recurrence and the short length of the bile duct of the graft, duct-to-duct biliary anastomosis has never been reported in a patient undergoing living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) for PSC. A 45 year-old male underwent LDLT using a left-lobe graft donated from his brother. Cholangiography showed no lesion in his common bile duct and duct-to-duct anastomosis was chosen for him. Fifteen months later, he suffered cholangitis due to PSC recurrence and endoscopic retrograde cholangiography was performed. The stents were inserted into his B2 and B3, and he remains well. Because of the ability to easily manage biliary complication, duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction may become the first choice in LDLT for PSC without common bile duct lesions.     

胆肠吻合术在肝移植中的作用

目的 探讨胆肠Roux-en-Y吻合术在原位肝移植胆道重建以及术后胆道并发症治疗中的作用.方法 回顾性分析佛山市第一人民医院从2003年3月到2006年12月所实施28例原位肝移植胆道重建两种方式与术后并发症发生情况,胆管对端吻合组20例(占76.9%),胆肠吻合组8例(占23.1%),术后胆道并发症包括狭窄、胆漏、结石或胆泥以及广泛胆管坏死.结果 2例病人围手术期死亡,余26例病人总的胆道并发症发生率为19.2%(5/26),胆管对端吻合组发生率为27.8%(5/18),胆肠吻合组为0(0/8),胆肠吻合组胆道并发症发生率明显低于胆管对端吻合组(P<0.05),5例胆道并发症包括胆道狭窄3例,胆漏2例,治疗包括放置鼻胆管引流1例,放置金属内支架1例,行胆肠吻合术2例,行再次肝移植1例,其中2例死亡.结论 根据笔者的经验,胆肠Roux-en-Y术胆道并发症发生率明显低于胆管对端吻合组,无论是在肝移植胆道重建还是移植后胆道并发症处理方面,胆肠Roux-en-Y吻合术均非常有用,尤其是在重建胆管血运欠佳或内镜治疗失败时.     

Transcystic cholangiogram access via rubber band with early withdrawal after liver transplantation: a safe technique

OBJECTIVE: Since different techniques have been described for cholangiogram access after liver transplantation, we compared two different methods for patients with duct-to-duct biliary anastomoses. METHODS: Adult liver transplant patients from program inception in 1993 to May 2003 in whom a duct-to-duct biliary anastomosis with a T-tube choledochostomy were compared with those having a transcystic duct catheter using a rubber band. We excluded 10 patients in which a different technique was used or graft or patient survived less than 21 days. Group A (n = 28,) had a number 10 T-tube exteriorized through the recipient main bile duct; and group B (n = 33) a number 5 Bard ureteral stent tied to the cystic stump with reabsorbable suture and secured with a hemorrhoidal rubber ligature. RESULTS: The biliary complication rate was lower among the transcystic catheter group (9.1%, 3/33) compared to the T-tube group (35.7%, 10/28). Postcatheter withdrawal peritonitis was present in two patients in the T-tube group, one of whom required emergency laparotomy. A satisfactory postoperative cholangiogram was obtained in both groups. The transcystic catheter was withdrawn on average at 29 days, compared to 136 days in the T-tube group. CONCLUSIONS: Both techniques are equally effective in obtaining a satisfactory postoperative cholangiogram. However, the transcystic catheter technique allows a significantly earlier withdrawal with fewer complications compared to the T-tube technique.     

"Hepar divisum"--as a rare donor complication after intraoperative mortality of the recipient of an intended living donor liver transplantation.

In this study, we present our experience with 4 healthy donors having the rare condition of "hepar divisum" after the intraoperative death of the recipient of an intended right adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). The study included 4 donors and 4 intended right LDLT recipients affected by neuroendocrine tumor (n = 2), hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 1), and cryptogenic cirrhosis (n = 1). All 4 recipients died intraoperatively. At the time of recipient death, the dissection of the donor liver parenchyma was complete, the vessels intact, and the hepatic duct(s) already divided. In each case, reconstruction of the donor biliary tract was performed: hepaticojejunostomy (HJ) in 2 cases, each with 3 ducts, and duct-to-duct anastomosis in 2. Of the donors receiving the HJ, 1 had a cut surface bile leak and the other experienced an anastomotic leak, treated by percutaneous drainage and reoperation, respectively. The latter patient experienced recurrent HJ stenosis at 44 months and 50 months after the operation and was treated by percutaneous balloon dilatation. One duct-to-duct reconstruction was complicated by early stenosis (postoperative day 6) and treated with endoscopic stenting. In conclusion, in the case of intraoperative death of the recipient of an intended LDLT, when the parenchyma and the hepatic duct of the donor have already been divided, the options are completion of the donor hepatectomy or the status of "fegatum divisum" with reconstruction of biliary tract. The high incidence of biliary complication, however, is of concern. When more than 1 hepatic duct is present, the donor hepatectomy should be completed and the graft reallocated according to the policy of the transplant institution.     

劈离式肝移植术后胆管并发症

目的 探讨体外劈离式肝移植术后胆管并发症的危险因素及其防治措施.方法 2006年6月至2010年9月,我院共施行劈离式肝移植术33例,其中1例于术后10 d死亡,予以排除.其余32例患者中男性18例,女性14例,平均年龄33.4岁(6个月～65岁).胆管重建方式胆管端端吻合20例,胆肠吻合12例.胆管并发症的诊断依靠T管造影、经皮经肝胆管造影(PTC)、经内镜逆行胆胰管造影、磁共振胰胆管造影(MRCP)等方法.胆管并发症定义为存在需要外科、介入、内镜等方法治疗的胆漏或胆管狭窄.结果 受者中位随访时间13.5个月(3～54个月).32例患者中11例患者发生12次胆管并发症(37.5％),其中肝断面胆漏3例(9.3％),胆管吻合口漏4例(12.5％),左肝管残端漏1例(3.1％),胆管吻合口狭窄1例(3.1％),缺血性胆管狭窄3例(9.3％).8例发生胆漏的受者中6例经手术或穿刺放置引流后痊愈,2例因腹腔内感染死亡.单因素分析表明,移植物类型、胆管重建方式等均不是肝断面胆漏的危险因素.结论 与全肝移植和活体肝移植相比,劈离式肝移植术后胆管并发症尤其是胆漏更为常见.进一步防治胆管并发症是改善劈离式肝移植预后的重要因素.     

肝移植术后胆道并发症的内镜治疗

目的:探讨内镜下逆行胰胆管造影术(ERCP)在治疗肝移植术后胆道并发症方面的临床疗效.方法:回顾性分析2002年8月-2012年12月采用ERCP治疗8例肝移植术后胆道并发症患者的临床资料,其中胆道狭窄5例(吻合口狭窄4例,肝内型胆道狭窄1例),胆瘘1例,胆石和胆泥形成2例.8例患者共行ERCP治疗21次,对胆道狭窄患者行括约肌切开、胆管扩张、鼻胆管引流和内支架置放术等治疗;对胆瘘患者行鼻胆管引流及塑料内支架置放术等治疗;对结石患者行括约肌切开、鼻胆管冲洗引流术及取石网篮取石等治疗.结果:ERCP手术成功率为100％ (21/21);4例吻合口狭窄、1例胆瘘和2例结石患者均治愈,1例肝内型胆道狭窄治疗未成功,建议再次肝移植;术后胆道感染的发生率为14.3％(3/21),胰腺炎发生率为19.0％ (4/21),经对症治疗后均痊愈.结论:ERCP是治疗肝移植术后胆道并发症微创、安全和有效的方法.     

Results of Using the Cystic Duct for Reconstruction of One of the Multiple Bile Ducts in Right Lobe Living Donor Liver Transplantation

BackgroundIn right-lobe liver grafts, variations in the biliary tree anatomy can result in multiple bile duct orifices. We present our experience of 10 patients in which biliary reconstruction was performed with the cystic duct for 1 of the anastomoses with 2 separated ducts. Also, we investigated whether the bile duct anastomosis technique, number of bile duct anastomoses, and use of biliary stents affect the rate of biliary complications.MethodsWe evaluated patients who underwent right-lobe living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) at İstinye University Hospital and İstanbul Aydın University Hospital between December 2017 and June 2020. The patients were divided into 4 groups: duct-to-duct (D-D), duct-to-sheath, double duct-to-duct, and duct-to-duct plus cystic duct-to-duct. Biliary complication rates were compared among these 4 groups, between single- and double-duct groups, and between stent (+) and stent (−) groups.ResultsNinety-three patients who underwent right-lobe LDLT (60 men, 33 women) with a mean age of 51 ± 13 years were included. Mean follow-up time was 18.5 ± 8.3 months. The overall biliary complication rate was 17.2% for all patients, 12.1% for the D-D (single-duct) group (33 patients), 16.1% for the duct-to-sheath group (31 patients), 26.3% for the double duct-to-duct group (19 patients), 20% for the duct-to-duct plus cystic duct-to-duct group (10 patients), 20% for the double-duct group (60 patients), 14.5% for the stent (+) group (69 patients), and 25% for the stent (−) group (24 patients). There were no significant differences among these groups in terms of biliary complication rates. Bile stricture occurred in only 1 cystic duct anastomosis (10%), and no bile leakage was observed.ConclusionsMultiple D-D biliary reconstruction using the cystic duct with external drainage tubes is feasible and safe for LDLT.     

Technique and results of biliary reconstruction using side-to-side choledochocholedochostomy in 300 orthotopic liver transplants.

OBJECTIVE: The authors evaluated the complication rate and outcome of side-to-side common bile duct anastomosis after human orthotopic liver transplantation. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Early and late biliary tract complications after orthotopic liver transplantation remain a serious problem, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. Commonly performed techniques are the end-to-end choledochocholedochostomy and the choledochojejunostomy. Both techniques are known to coincide with a high incidence of leakage and stenosis of the bile duct anastomosis. The side-to-side bile duct anastomosis has been shown experimentally to be superior to the end-to-end anastomosis. The authors present the results of 316 human liver transplants, in which a side-to-side choledochocholedochostomy was performed. METHODS: Biliary tract complications of 370 transplants in 340 patients were evaluated. Three hundred patients received primary liver transplants with side-to-side anastomosis of donor and recipient common bile duct. Thirty-two patients with biliary tract pathology received a bilioenteric anastomosis, and in eight patients, side-to-side anastomosis was not performed for various reasons. Clinical and laboratory investigations were carried out at prospectively fixed time points. X-ray cholangiography was performed routinely in all patients on postoperative days (PODs) 5 and 42. In patients with suspected papillary stenosis, endoscopic retrograde cholangioscopy and papillotomy were performed. RESULTS: One biliary leakage (0.3%) was observed within the early postoperative period (PODs 0 through 30) after liver transplantation. No stenosis of the common bile duct anastomosis was observed during this time. Late biliary stenosis occurred in two patients (0.6%). T tube-related complications were observed in 4 of 300 primary transplants (1.3%). Complications unrelated to the surgical technique, including papillary stenosis (5.7%) and ischemic-type biliary lesion (3.0%), which must be considered more serious in nature than complications of the anastomosis or T tube-related complications, were observed. Papillary stenosis led to frequent endoscopic interventions and retransplantations in 1.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Side-to-side common bile duct anastomosis represents a safe technique of bile duct reconstruction and leads to a low technical complication rate after human orthotopic liver transplantation. Ischemic-type biliary lesion evoked by preservation injury, arterial ischemia, cholestasis, and cholangitis may represent a new entity of biliary complication, which markedly increases the morbidity after human liver transplantation. Therefore, this complication should be the subject of further research.     

End-to-end ductal anastomosis in biliary reconstruction: indications and limitations

End-to-end ductal anastomosis is a physiologic biliary reconstruction that is commonly used in liver transplantation and less frequently in the surgical treatment of iatrogenic bile duct injuries. Currently, end-to-end ductal anastomosis is the biliary reconstruction of choice for liver transplantation in most adult patients. In recent years, it has also been performed for liver transplantation in children and in select patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis. The procedure is also performed in some patients with iatrogenic bile duct injuries, as it establishes physiologic bile flow. Proper digestion and absorption as well as postoperative endoscopic access are possible in patients who undergo end-to-end ductal anastomosis. It allows endoscopic diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in patients following surgery. This anastomosis is technically simple and associated with fewer early postoperative complications than the Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy; however, end-to-end ductal anastomosis is not possible to perform in all patients. This review discusses the indications for and limitations of this biliary reconstruction, the technique used in liver transplantation and surgical repair of injured bile ducts, suture types and use of a T-tube.     

Endoscopic management of biliary fistulas complicating liver transplantation and other hepatobiliary operations.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to prospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic management of biliary fistulas complicating liver transplantation and other hepatobiliary operations. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Surgical therapy has been the traditional approach to large or unresolving biliary fistulas complicating liver transplantation. Although endoscopic management is rapidly becoming an acceptable alternative to surgery for the treatment of biliary fistulas complicating non-liver transplant hepatobiliary operations, it has received limited attention in the liver transplant setting. METHODS: During a 15-month period, 146 adults underwent liver transplantation with biliary reconstruction by end-to-end choledochocholedochostomy over a T-tube. Inadvertent T-tube migration or intentional T-tube removal resulted in bile peritonitis in 18 patients. The patients were treated with a nasobiliary tube (n = 13), internal stent plus endoscopic sphincterotomy (n = 3), or internal stent alone (n = 2). Thirteen patients had a biliary fistula after other hepatobiliary operations and underwent endoscopic therapy during a similar period. All 13 had an endoscopic sphincterotomy with removal of obstructing stones when present (n = 6). Twelve patients also had stents placed. All patients were prospectively followed after hospital discharge and assessed for recurrent symptoms suggestive of biliary tract disease and procedure-related complications. RESULTS: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) identified a biliary fistula at the T-tube insertion site into the bile duct in all 18 liver transplant patients. Seventeen patients had resolution of their symptoms within 12 hours of therapy. The fistula sealed in 94.4%. In the other hepatobiliary operation group, ERCP demonstrated contrast extravasation from the biliary tree in 12 of 13. The biliary fistula closure rate was 92.3%. The endoscopic complication rate for the two groups was 3.2%. During a mean follow-up of 9 months, recurrent biliary tract complications occurred in 11.1% of the liver transplant group and 0% in the other hepatobiliary operation group (p > 0.05). The 30-day mortality rate was 0%. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study support the application of endoscopic management of biliary fistulas complicating orthotopic liver transplantation and other hepatobiliary operations. This approach was relatively safe and obviated the need for surgical intervention.     

Long-Term Follow-up Study of Biliary Reconstructions and Complications After Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation: Feasibility of Duct-to-Duct Reconstruction With a T-Tube Stent

The aim of this study was to analyze the feasibility of duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction (hepaticohepaticostomy) with a T-tube stent (HH-T) after adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) based on long-term follow-up. We retrospectively evaluated 63 primary adult LDLTs who had survived >1 month from March 1999 to January 2008. We compared the incidence of bile leaks and biliary strictures (BS) in 3 groups of patients: Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy (HJ; n = 18); duct-to-duct hepaticohepaticostomy with external stents except a T-tube (HH; n = 26); and HH-T (n = 19). Median follow-up was longer among the HJ (63 months) than the other groups (32 months in HH and 25 months in HH-T; P = .04). Bile leaks developed in 8 of the HJ cases (44%); 9 of the HH cases (33%); and 1 of the HH-T cases (5%; P = .02). All cases with bile leaks (n = 18) were treated using continuous drainage, 15 of them (83%) successfully. BS developed in 4 HJ cases (22%); 12 HH cases (46%), and 4 HH-T cases (21%; P = .12). Intervention for BS (n = 20) was successful in 10 cases (50%) via an endoscopic approach and 6 cases (30%) via a percutaneous transhepatic approach. Operative management for BS was required in 4 cases (20%). Biliary reconstruction using HH-T may be effective to prevent bile leaks after LDLT. However, HH-T may not decrease the incidence of BS after adult LDLT.     

Biliary complications in 106 consecutive duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction in right-lobe living donor liver transplantation performed in 1 year in a single center: a new surgical technique

Objective

Biliary complications remain a major source of morbidity after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Of 109 consecutive right lobe (RL)-LDLTs performed in 1 year in our institution, we present the biliary complications among 106 patients who underwent a new duct-to-duct anastomosis technique known as University of Inonu.

Methods

Of 153 liver transplantations performed in 1 year from January to December of 2008, 128 were LDLTs including 109 RL-LDLTs. The others were left or left lateral grafts. All RL-LDLT patients were adults, all of whom except three included a duct-to-duct anastomosis.

Results

All, but three, biliary reconstructions were completed with a surgical technique, so called UI, in which 6-0 prolene sutures were used. Nine bile leaks were seen in 106 recipients (8.49%) performed in a duct-to-duct fashion in a time period of 1 to 4 weeks. Seventeen patients (16.03%) posed bile duct stricture (BDS). Five patients had both. Although endoscopic stent placement and percutaneous balloon dilatation, 4 patients continued to suffer from BDS on whom a permanent access hepatico-jejunostomy (PAHJ) procedures were performed.

Conclusion

We recommend a duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction because of its de facto advantages over other types of anastomosis provided the native duct is not diseased. After almost 2 years, the bile tract complication rate was 22.64%.