Metallic stents for the treatment of intrahepatic biliary strictures after liver transplantation

Endoscopic management of biliary strictures after living donor liver transplantation

Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is an effective alternative to deceased liver transplantation (DDLT) for end-stage liver disease. Although advances in surgical techniques, immunosuppressive management, and post-transplant care have improved the overall outcomes of LDLT, biliary strictures remain the major unsolved problem. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is currently considered the first-line therapy for biliary strictures following LDLT with duct-to-duct reconstruction, with percutaneous and surgical interventions reserved for patients with unsuccessful management via ERCP. Endoscopic management of biliary strictures is technically more challenging in LDLT than in DDLT because of the complexity of the biliary anastomosis, in addition to the tortuous and angulated biliary system. Placement of one or more plastic stents after balloon dilation has been the standard strategy for post-LDLT stricture, but this requires multiple stent exchange to prevent stent occlusion until stricture resolution. Inside stents might prevent duodenobiliary reflux and thus have longer stent patency, obviating the need for multiple ERCPs. Newly developed covered self-expandable metallic stents with anti-migration systems are alternatives to the placement of multiple plastic stents. With the advent of deep enteroscopy, biliary strictures in LDLT patients with Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy are now treatable endoscopically. In this review, we discuss the short- and long-term outcomes of endoscopic management of post-LDLT strictures as well as recent advances in this field.

Interventional radiology: management of biliary complications of liver transplantation

Major advances in the field of liver transplantation have led to an increase in both graft and patient survival rates. Despite increased graft survival rate, biliary complications lead to significant postoperative morbidity and even mortality. A multidisciplinary approach to these complications is critical. As part of the team approach, less invasive techniques used by the interventional radiologist have an increasing role in the management of complications after liver transplantation. This paper will review the current role of the interventionalist in management of biliary complications.

Newly designed Y-configured single-catheter stenting for the treatment of hilar-type nonanastomotic biliary strictures after orthotopic liver transplantation

PURPOSE

This study was designed to introduce our novel technique of percutaneous single catheter placement into the hilar bile ducts strictures while fulfilling the purpose of bilateral biliary drainage and stenting. We investigated the efficacy and safety of the technique for the treatment of hilar nonanastomotic biliary strictures.

METHODS

Ten patients who were post-orthotopic liver transplantation between July 2000 and July 2010 were enrolled in this study. Percutaneous Y-configured single-catheter stenting for bilateral bile ducts combined with balloon dilation was designed as the main treatment approach. Technical success rate, clinical indicators, complications, and recurrent rate were analyzed.

RESULTS

Technical success rate was 100%. Nine of the ten patients had biochemical normalization, cholangiographic improvement, and clinical symptoms relief. None of them experienced recurrence in a median follow-up of 26 months after completion of therapy and removal of all catheters. Complications were minor and limited to two patients. The one treatment failure underwent a second liver transplantation but died of multiple system organ failure.

CONCLUSIONS

Percutaneous transhepatic Y-configured single-catheter stenting into the hilar bile ducts is technically feasible. The preliminary trial of this technique combined with traditional PTCD or choledochoscopy for the treatment of hilar biliary strictures after orthotopic liver transplantation appeared to be effective and safe. Yet, further investigation is needed.

Biliary complications after orthotopic liver transplantation

Liver transplantation has made many advances since its inception in the early 1970s. Despite volumes of basic science and clinical research related to liver transplantation, biliary complications continue to present the interventional radiologist with challenging cases in all transplant centers. Biliary complications can range from minor complications such as contained bile leaks to severe complications such as biliary necrosis resulting from hepatic artery thrombosis. Minor complications may require minimal or no intervention, whereas the more severe complications can require urgent surgery. To treat biliary complications such as anastomotic strictures, nonanastomotic strictures, biliary leaks, sludge or biliary necrosis, an accurate diagnosis must first be obtained. One must also be aware of how these complications can impair both allograft and transplant patient survival. With this information one can then plan a treatment knowing the potential success rates of specific treatments. Using proper technique with this information at hand can greatly increase the success rate in treating the spectrum of biliary complications. Interventional radiology serves a critical role in diagnosis and treatment of these liver transplant biliary complications and is important to the success of all transplant programs.

Percutaneous transhepatic treatment of hepaticojejunal anastomotic biliary strictures after living donor liver transplantation

Endoscopic treatment has largely replaced surgery as the initial treatment for biliary strictures following living donor liver transplantation; however, this treatment is nearly impossible in patients who have previously undergone hepaticojejunostomy (HJ). We therefore retrospectively evaluated the efficacy of percutaneous transhepatic treatment in patients who developed HJ strictures following living donor liver transplantation. Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage and subsequent balloon dilation of biliary strictures were performed on 83 patients. Serial exchanges of drainage tubes with larger diameters up to 14 Fr were performed at 4-week intervals. Drainage tubes were removed if follow-up cholangiography revealed fluent passage of the contrast medium without recurrence of symptoms or changes in the biochemical findings. The clinical outcome, tube independence rate, and patency rate following drainage tube removal were retrospectively evaluated. Except for 2 patients who had failed negotiation of biliary strictures, clinical success was achieved in all 81 patients following percutaneous transhepatic treatment, and the drainage tubes were removed from 76 (93.8%) of these 81 patients. Tubes were removed 11.2 +/- 7.4 months after initial percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage. The recurrence rate at a mean of 36.0 +/- 26.2 months following drainage tube removal was 15.8%. One- and three-year primary patency rates were 95.3% +/- 2.7% and 80.9% +/- 5.2%, respectively. In conclusion, percutaneous transhepatic treatment is an effective alternative treatment for HJ strictures following living donor liver transplantation. However, further research will be required in order to minimize the duration of treatment and the stricture recurrence rate following tube removal.

Safety and efficacy of argon plasma coagulation trimming of malpositioned and migrated biliary metal stents: a controlled study in the porcine model

BACKGROUND

Argon plasma coagulation (APC) has been used to trim uncovered Elgiloy stents, but the extent of thermal damage and bile duct injury is not known. The goal of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of APC for this application.

METHODS

Eight Elgiloy (covered and uncovered) and four nitinol stents were deployed in the bile duct at ERCP in 12 anesthetized pigs. In nine pigs, the excess distal ends were trimmed in vivo using short bursts of APC. Three pigs served as controls. Bile ducts and stent specimens were then harvested for gross and histological examinations by a single-blinded pathologist.

RESULTS

APC effectively trimmed all the stents. Seven APC-treated bile ducts and three controls showed epithelial distortion consistent with pressure injury from stent expansion. Two APC-treated bile ducts showed mild thermal injury. The damage was superficial, extending to a maximum depth of 0.1 mm with rare foci involving subepithelial connective tissue.

CONCLUSION

APC at indicated settings effectively cuts covered and uncovered Elgiloy as well as nitinol stents, but can cause biliary epithelial injury secondary to conduction of heat and electrical energy. Proper technique and settings should be followed and short bursts of energy judiciously applied in order to minimize this danger.

The balloon dilatation and large profile catheter maintenance method for the management of the bile duct stricture following liver transplantation

Objective

We wanted to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of the percutaneous balloon dilatation and large profile catheter maintenance method for the management of patients with anastomotic biliary strictures following liver transplant.

Materials and Methods

From May 1999 to June 2003, 12 patients with symptomatic benign biliary stricture complicated by liver transplantation were treated with the percutaneous balloon dilatation and large profile catheter maintenance method (1-6 months). The patients were eight males and four females, and their ages ranged from 20 to 62 years (mean age: 44 years). Ten patients underwent living donor liver transplantation and two underwent cadaveric liver transplantation. Postoperative biliary strictures occurred from two to 21 months (mean age: 18 months) after liver transplantation.

Results

The initial technical success rate was 92%. Patency of the bile duct was preserved for eight to 40 months (mean period: 19 months) in 10 of 12 (84%) patients. When reviewing two patients (17%), secondary balloon dilatations were needed for treating the delayed recurrence of biliary stricture. In one patient, no recurrent stenosis was seen during the further 10 months follow-up after secondary balloon dilatation. Another patient did not response to secondary balloon dilatation, and he was treated by surgery. Eleven of 12 patients (92%) showed good biliary patency for 8-40 months (mean period: 19 months) of follow-up.

Conclusion

The percutaneous balloon dilatation and large profile catheter maintenance method is an effective therapeutic alternative for the treatment of most biliary strictures that complicate liver transplantation. It has a high success rate and it should be considered before surgery.

Outcomes and risk factors for failure of radiologic treatment of biliary strictures in pediatric liver transplantation recipients

Posttransplantation biliary strictures occur in 5-34% of the pediatric liver transplant patients and are conventionally managed by interventional radiological techniques. The aim of this manuscript is to assess the outcomes of patients with biliary strictures treated by percutaneous dilatation at our institution. Included in the study were 35 children with posttransplant biliary strictures that were treated with percutaneous dilatation and stenting. Initial dilation and biliary stent placement was accomplished in all patients without complications requiring surgical intervention. Recurrent strictures developed in 23 (66%) of 35 patients. The recurrence rate was 45% for anastomotic strictures, 90% for intrahepatic strictures, and 100% for those with both an anastomotic and intrahepatic component. Seven patients required revision of the choledochojejunostomy, 5 of them with a successful outcome and 2 requiring retransplant. Five patients were treated with retransplantation without surgical revision. Patients with an intrahepatic or a "combined" stricture were less likely to have a successful outcome after radiologic treatment. In conclusion, the radiological treatment of biliary strictures with balloon dilation and stenting can be performed successfully with minimal complications avoiding the need for surgical correction in many cases.

Intentional Retrieval of Viabil Stent-Grafts from the Biliary System

The present report describes the intentional retrieval of six Viabil stent-grafts from the biliary system. The six stent-grafts were successfully removed from five patients with a mean time from placement to retrieval of 38 days. Successful retrieval was independent of underlying disease etiology and included strictures associated with benign disease, malignant disease, disease of unknown etiology, and stent-graft misplacement. There were no complications resulting from stent-graft retrieval. Intentional removal of Viabil stent-grafts is technically feasible. Further study is necessary to establish its potential role in the management of biliary disease.

Hepatic resection in liver transplant recipients: single center experience and review of the literature

Biliary complications such as ischemic (type) biliary lesions frequently develop following liver transplantation, requiring costly medical and endoscopic treatment. If conservative approaches fail, re-transplantation is most often an inevitable sequel. Because of an increasing donor organ shortage and unfavorable outcomes in hepatic re-transplantation, efforts to prolong graft survival become of particular interest. From a series of 1685 liver transplants, we herein report on three patients who underwent partial hepatic graft resection for (ischemic type) biliary lesions. In all cases, left hepatectomy (Couinaud's segments II, III and IV) was performed without Pringle maneuver or mobilization of the right liver. All patients fully recovered postoperatively, but biliary leakage required surgical revision twice in one patient. At last follow-up, two patients presented alive and well. The other patient with persistent hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT), however, demonstrated progression of disease in the right liver remnant and required re-transplantation 13 months after hepatic graft resection. Including our own patients, review of the literature identified 24 adult patients who underwent hepatic graft resection. In conclusion, partial graft hepatectomy can be considered a safe and beneficial procedure in selected liver transplant recipients with anatomical limited biliary injury, thereby, preserving scarce donor organs.

Systematic appraisal of the role of metallic endobiliary stents in the treatment of benign bile duct stricture

OBJECTIVE

To carry out a systematic appraisal of the current status of the use of metallic endobiliary stents in the treatment of benign biliary strictures.

METHODS

A computerized search of the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases identified 37 studies providing detailed clinical course data on outcome of metallic endobiliary stent placement in 400 patients. Pooled data were examined for etiology of stricture, indications for stent placement, procedure-related complications, and outcome with reference to stent patency.

RESULTS

The median (range) number of patients per report was 8 (2-54) with a median recruitment period of 44 (9-126) months. The most frequent indications were postoperative biliary strictures in 123 (31%), stenosed biliary-enteric anastomoses in 79 (20%), and biliary strictures following liver transplantation in 88 (22%). During a median follow up of 31 (1-111) months, 139 (35%) stents occluded, and there are little patency data beyond 2 years after deployment, with 99 (25%) known to be patent at 3 years from stent placement.

CONCLUSIONS

These pooled data on 400 patients constitute the largest collective report to date on the use of metallic endobiliary stents for benign biliary strictures. The results show a critical lack of data on long-term patency such that at the present time, metallic endobiliary stents should not be used for benign stricture in those patients with a predicted life expectancy greater than 2 years.

Systematic appraisal of the role of metallic endobiliary stents in the treatment of benign bile duct stricture

OBJECTIVE

To carry out a systematic appraisal of the current status of the use of metallic endobiliary stents in the treatment of benign biliary strictures.

METHODS

A computerized search of the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases identified 37 studies providing detailed clinical course data on outcome of metallic endobiliary stent placement in 400 patients. Pooled data were examined for etiology of stricture, indications for stent placement, procedure-related complications, and outcome with reference to stent patency.

RESULTS

The median (range) number of patients per report was 8 (2-54) with a median recruitment period of 44 (9-126) months. The most frequent indications were postoperative biliary strictures in 123 (31%), stenosed biliary-enteric anastomoses in 79 (20%), and biliary strictures following liver transplantation in 88 (22%). During a median follow up of 31 (1-111) months, 139 (35%) stents occluded, and there are little patency data beyond 2 years after deployment, with 99 (25%) known to be patent at 3 years from stent placement.

CONCLUSIONS

These pooled data on 400 patients constitute the largest collective report to date on the use of metallic endobiliary stents for benign biliary strictures. The results show a critical lack of data on long-term patency such that at the present time, metallic endobiliary stents should not be used for benign stricture in those patients with a predicted life expectancy greater than 2 years.

Simultaneous surgical and interventional radiological approach to treat complicated biliary strictures after pediatric liver transplantation

Post-transplantation biliary strictures occur in 5-15% of the pediatric liver transplant patients and are conventionally managed by interventional radiological techniques. Failure of this treatment leads to reoperation and sometimes to retransplantation. Herein, we describe a surgical approach and interventional radiologic approach to manage biliary strictures that failed the conventional radiologic treatment, in order to avoid retransplantation. Included in the study were eight children who underwent liver transplantation at our center or referred to our institution for evaluation of the biliary strictures that failed radiological treatment. Biliary strictures were confirmed by a narrowing of the biliary anastomosis on the percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram. At surgery, a guide wire was introduced into the distal bile system through the use of an enterotomy in Roux limb. Over the guide wire, the stricture was ballooned and the diameter of the biliary tree was determined. A pigtail catheter was introduced on the biliary tree across the abdominal wall, the liver, the stricture and the anastomosis into the enterotomy. A final cholangiogram confirmed the positioning of the catheter. Mean follow-up was 39.8 +/- 20.8 months. All patients had their strictures successfully treated and survived the procedure. Three patients were readmitted to the hospital with fever. It was necessary to revise the hepaticojejunostomy in three patients because of cholangitis and/or recurrence of biliary stricture. Of the eight patients of this study, two required retransplantation and one died. We conclude that an aggressive combined surgical and radiologic approach can avoid retransplantation in patients with complicated post-transplant biliary strictures.

Removal of self-expandable metallic Wallstents

BACKGROUND

The self-expandable metallic stent is increasingly being used for management of malignant biliary strictures. In certain clinical situations, it also may be an alternative treatment for benign strictures. The ability to remove a metallic stent would be advantageous to the management of many biliary strictures, regardless of etiology.

METHODS

Stent removal was considered in 18 patients with either covered or uncovered Wallstents placed for biliary obstruction. Indications for placement were the following: unresectable cancer (10), chronic pancreatitis (3), benign biliary stricture (3), impacted stone (1), and papillary adenoma (1).

OBSERVATIONS

Stent removal was successful in 17 patients. Mean follow-up after removal was 9 months. Thirteen removed stents were covered. Indications for removal were the following: occlusion (5), migration (3), facilitation of hemostasis (2), malposition (3), persistent cholestasis (1), stone extraction (1), stricture revision (1), gallbladder fossa abscess (1), and abdominal pain (1). Devices and techniques used for successful removal included a snare, an extraction balloon, and electrocoagulation combined with forceps.

CONCLUSIONS

Removal of uncovered Wallstents is difficult and typically requires a combination of techniques. Removal of covered Wallstents with a snare is relatively simple and safe, and can be followed immediately by corrective therapy. Insertion of a covered Wallstent should be considered as initial therapy when malignant biliary obstruction is suspected but unconfirmed.

Metallic stents in benign biliary strictures: long-term effectiveness and interventional management of stent occlusion

OBJECTIVE

The objective of our study was to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of metallic stent placement in the treatment of benign biliary strictures and to report our experience with interventional procedures for the management of stent occlusion to achieve secondary patency.

CONCLUSION

The clinical course of these patients is compromised by repeated stent occlusions, caused by stone or mucosal hyperplasia. The results of primary stent patency are disappointing with the primary patency rate decreasing from 75% after 12 months to 25% after 36 months. The different interventional procedures used to restore bile flow make an important contribution to the secondary stent patency and provide a satisfactory clinical result in a patient subpopulation in whom stent placement is considered the last resort.

Integral role of interventional radiology in the development of a pediatric liver transplantation program

The aim of this study was to examine the role of interventional radiology (IR) in the pretransplant evaluation of potential living-related liver transplantation (LRLT) donors and in the post-transplant management of pediatric liver transplant recipients. Medical records and procedural reports were reviewed of 12 potential donors and five recipients for left lateral segment liver transplants. Procedures performed by the IR Division, clinical indications, and complications were tabulated. Retrospective calculation of radiation exposure to the skin and gonads of the donors and recipients were made. Three-dimensional ultrasound (3D US) was used in all 12 potential donors to screen for the donor with the most appropriately sized left lateral segment. The four optimal donor candidates underwent contrast angiography in order to measure the diameter and screen for variant arterial supply to the left lateral segment. Pretransplantation, one recipient underwent mesenteric angiography with indirect portography to confirm thrombosis of the portal vein and to prove patency of the splenomesenteric venous confluence. Three children underwent LRLT and two children received split livers from cadaveric donors. Thirty-two IR procedures were performed after transplantation (Tx) in the four transplant survivors (one child died following Tx). These IR procedures included: ultrasound-guided percutaneous liver biopsy to evaluate the pathologic cause of liver dysfunction (seven); placement of nasal jejunal feeding tubes (three) or a peripherally inserted central catheter (four) for nutritional and pharmacologic support; large-volume diagnostic and therapeutic paracentesis (two) and thoracentesis (one); percutaneous catheter drainage of symptomatic large pleural effusions (two), large-volume chylous ascites (one) (with later drain removal [one]), and a large biloma (one); percutaneous biliary drain placement (three), biliary drain replacement (two), and balloon cholangioplasty (four) to relieve obstructive jaundice from biliary enteric anatomic strictures; and mesenteric arteriography (one) for suspected thrombosis of the hepatic artery. No complications occurred. Mean skin and gonadal radiation doses were 193 mGy and 27 mGy, respectively, for donors, and 164 mGy and 60 mGy, respectively, for recipients. Even in a program such as this, with a limited series of pediatric liver Txs, it is apparent that IR plays an integral role in optimizing the clinical outcome and use of resources. Specific benefits included: selection of optimal donors; accurate mapping of the donor and occasionally recipient hepatic vasculature; and, most importantly, providing relatively safe minimally invasive procedures for nutritional support and diagnosis and management of untoward events after Tx. When possible, ultrasound guidance should be used to avoid excessive cumulative fluoroscopic exposure to recipients.

Treatment of refractory benign biliary stenoses in liver transplant patients by placement and retrieval of a temporary stent-graft: work in progress

PURPOSE

To evaluate patency of refractory benign biliary strictures in liver transplant patients treated with retrievable stent-grafts.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eight male liver transplant patients who ranged in age from 42 to 52 years developed nine symptomatic biliary strictures (intrahepatic left duct, 1; hilar, 2; anastomotic, 6). These strictures had recurred despite multiple previous attempts of treatment (n = 33), including angioplasty (n = 27), surgery (n = 1), atherectomy (n = 1), metallic stent (n = 1), and prolonged catheter drainage (n = 3). As an alternative method of treatment for these refractory biliary strictures, transhepatic placement of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene stent-grafts across the strictures was performed through 10-F sheaths. In total, 14 stent-grafts were placed to treat the nine lesions, and nine of these stent-grafts were subsequently retrieved through 12-16-F sheaths.

RESULTS

Stent-grafts were deployed successfully. Delayed migrations in two patients required additional stent-graft placement. One patient died of pneumonia 1 month after stent-graft placement; the remaining seven patients had stent-grafts successfully removed at 3-10 months (mean, 5.6 months). Nine intended stent-graft retrievals were performed successfully, with two requiring use of elongated forceps. Immediately after treatment, all strictures were widely patent. Five to 6 months after stent-graft removal in these seven patients, significant strictures recurred in four of eight lesions (50%). One patient underwent surgical revision. At 6-29 months (mean, 12 months) after stent-graft removal, the remaining six patients were without clinical or laboratory evidence of biliary obstruction, despite three patients with significant recurrent strictures.

CONCLUSION

Temporary stent-graft placement for treatment of benign biliary strictures in liver transplant patients is technically feasible. Longer follow-up with larger patient series is necessary to assess effectiveness and possible broader applications.

Interventional radiology and the use of metal stents in nonvascular clinical practice: a systematic overview

PURPOSE

The intent of this systematic overview was to describe the clinical role of metal stents in nonvascular health care interventions and the level of evidence supporting their use.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Structured searches of Medline were conducted and limited to original peer-reviewed articles published in English.

RESULTS

Clinical practice involving metal stents was reported in more than 109 clinical series involving 4,753 patients. Stents were placed mainly for palliation of malignant biliary, esophageal, and airway obstruction in patients who were untreatable or had surgically unresectable lesions. Assessment of these interventions has so far centered on safety and technical success. Efficacy, quality of life, and costing factors were not routinely reported. Randomized trial evidence was available but limited; six randomized trials involving metal stents have been reported. Three trials involved biliary malignant obstruction, and all three reported metal stent (132 patients) palliation to be superior to plastic stent palliation (136 patients) based on longer patency and lower reintervention costs. Safety and complication differences between stents, however, were inconsistent across trials. In three trials involving esophageal malignant obstruction, metal stent (82 patients) palliation was reported to be superior to plastic stent (41 patients), based on lower complication and reintervention rates, and superior to laser therapy (18 patients), based on better dysphagia relief.

CONCLUSION

Use of metal stents has been reported for obstructed ducts and passageways of most body systems. There is, however, limited controlled trial evidence confirming the advantages of their use over plastic stents or other forms of treatment.

Early complications after orthotopic liver transplantation

The cost and impact of early post-transplant complications continue to be high. Diagnosis and management involves a high index of suspicion, rapid diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, and elimination of technical problems. Preoperative assessment of the donor and recipient medical condition and meticulous attention to detail during the technical performance of OLTx are the mainstays in achieving a good outcome.

Incidence and management of biliary complications after 291 liver transplants following the introduction of transcystic stenting

BACKGROUND

Biliary complications occur frequently after liver transplantation, and many are historically related to T tubes. Stents placed through the donor cystic duct have been used to attempt to reduce tube-related complications yet maintain access to the biliary tree.

METHODS

The outcomes of all liver transplant procedures performed at the University of Michigan between December 7, 1990 (when transcystic stenting was first used), and April 6, 1995, were analyzed retrospectively. Preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative variables were studied in relationship to biliary complications. The management of complications was also reviewed.

RESULTS

A total of 291 transplants qualified for study. The overall biliary complication rate was 25%, with no difference between the 237 patients who received transcystic stents, the 28 who received T tubes, and the 26 who received no tube. Among the complications patients experienced, 65% had stricture(s), 44% had stone or sludge formation, and 40% had a leak. Complications attributable solely to transcystic stents occurred in 4% of cases. Advanced age was the only preoperative variable associated with complications. Primary sclerosing cholangitis was associated with intrahepatic strictures, and prolonged cold ischemia time and rejection were associated with stone or sludge formation. Nonoperative management had the highest success rate for anastomotic stricture (76%) and the lowest for intrahepatic strictures (65%). Only one death was directly attributable to a biliary complication.

CONCLUSION

Transcystic stenting reduces the incidence of significant tube-related complications, but not the frequency of other biliary complications. Biliary complications can usually be managed percutaneously or endoscopically, although intrahepatic strictures and large, early leaks frequently require reoperation. Aggressive, early management of these complications can reduce excess mortality to less than 2%.

Endoscopic management of biliary strictures in liver transplant recipients: effect on patient and graft survival

BACKGROUND

Biliary strictures in liver transplant recipients cause significant morbidity and can lead to reduced patient and graft survival.

METHODS

Of 251 liver transplant recipients, 22 patients with biliary strictures were categorized into two groups: donor hepatic duct (n = 12) or anastomotic (n = 10). Strictures were dilated and stented. Endoscopic therapy was considered successful if a patient did not require repeat stenting or dilation for 1 year.

RESULTS

Patient and graft survival did not differ significantly in the 22 patients compared with patients without strictures (relative risk of death and graft survival 1.8 and 1.3). Donor hepatic duct strictures required significantly longer therapy than anastomotic strictures (median days 185 versus 67, p = 0.02). Twenty-two months after the first endoscopic treatment, 73% of the donor hepatic duct stricture group were stent free compared with 90% of the anastomotic group (p = 0.02). The former group had significantly more (p < 0.05) hepatic artery thrombosis (58.3% versus 10%), cholangitis (58.3% versus 30%), choledocholithiasis (91% versus 10%), and endoscopic interventions. No patient undergoing endoscopic treatment required retransplantation or biliary reconstruction during a median follow-up of 35.7 months.

CONCLUSION

Endoscopic therapy of biliary strictures after liver transplantation is effective and is not accompanied by reduced patient or graft survival.

Hepatic artery stenosis after liver transplantation--incidence, presentation, treatment, and long term outcome

Little is known about hepatic artery (HA) patency and patient clinical course when the nonthrombosed HA has been revised. We undertook this study to evaluate the risk factors in the development of HA stenosis and to assess the impact of HA revision on the outcome. A total of 857 adult consecutive OLT in 780 patients performed over a 6-year period were studied. Patients who underwent revision of their nonthrombosed but stenotic HA were reviewed for patient/graft survival, method of HA revision, incidence of biliary strictures, and long-term HA patency. Overall 39 patients (5%) with 41 allografts underwent HA revision for stenosis. Median time to diagnosis was 100 days posttransplant (range 1-1220 days). HA flow at the time of OLT was found to be the only significant variable of an anastomotic stenosis. No risk factor could be identified for the graft HA stenosis. Treatment methods included resection of the stenotic segment with primary reanastomosis (n = 17), aortohepatic iliac artery graft (n = 11), interposition vein graft (n = 4), vein patch angioplasty (n = 2), interposition artery graft (n = 1), and percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty (n = 6). Postrevisional HA patency was demonstrated in 32 (78%) cases. At a median follow-up of 25 months, 26 patients (67%) were asymptomatic with good liver function. Nine patients had developed biliary strictures. Seven patients had undergone retransplantation and 8 patients had died. The actuarial patient and graft survivals at 4 years in the patients with revised HA were 65% and 56%, respectively. HA stenosis requiring revision is an infrequent occurrence after OLT. Long-term patency of the revised HA is good. Revision of the HA may help prevent biliary strictures and allow for good long-term graft function in the majority of patients.