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Endoscopic management of biliary complications after orthotopic liver transplantation |
Yun-Sheng Qin, Zhao-Shen Li, Zhen-Xing Sun, Ren-Pei Wu, Na Wang and Yin-Zhen Yao |
Shanghai, China
Author Affiliations: Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China (Qin YS); Department of Gastroenterology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China (Li ZS, Sun ZX, Wu RP, Wang N and Yao YZ)
Corresponding Author: Zhao-Shen Li, MD, PhD, Department of Gastroenterology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China (Tel: 86-21-25070552; Fax: 86-21-55620081; Email: zhaoshenli@chxh.com) |
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Abstract BACKGROUND: Biliary complications are a serious problem in patients after liver transplantation and often require reoperation. This study was conducted to summarize the endoscopic diagnosis and management of biliary complications after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).
METHODS: From December 2000 to November 2003, twelve endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographies (ERCPs) were performed in 7 patients after OLT at Digestive Endoscopic Center of Changhai Hospital in Shanghai, China. The therapeutic maneuvers included endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST), biliary stent placement, balloon and basket extraction, irrigation, and nasobiliary tube placement. A retrospective study was made to determine the types of biliary tract complications after OLT. The success of ERCP and therapeutic maneuvers was also evaluated.
RESULTS: Biliary tract complications including biliary stricture, biliary leak, biliary sludge, and stump leak of the cyst duct were treated respectively by endoscopic sphincterotomy with sludge extraction, stricture dilation or endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage. Two of the 3 patients with proximal common bile duct stricture were successfully treated with ERCP and stent placement. Four patients with anastomotic stricture and/without bile leak were treated successfully by dilation and stent placement or endoscopic nosobiliary drainage. No severe ERCP-related complications occurred.
CONCLUSIONS: ERCP is an effective and accurate approach for the diagnosis of biliary tract complications after OLT, and placement of a stent is a safe initial treatment for biliary complications after liver transplantation.
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