ABSTRACT
Peribiliary glands (PBG) is a kind of microscopic structure around the intra-hepatic bile ducts and extrahepatic bile ducts. PBG not only participates in maintaining the normal physiological function of biliary epithelial tissue, but also plays an important role in its damage and repair process. Biliary tree stem/progenitor cells in PBG are important cell sources of biliary epithelial regeneration and repair. PBG and the surrounding peribiliary vascular plexus are key influencing factors for the occurrence of ischemic-type biliary lesions (ITBL) after liver transplantation. Based on relevant literatures and clinical practice, the authors summarize the function of PBG as well as its relationship with ITBL.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To assess the efficacy, safety of adding intralesional compound betamethasone injection to EEBD to reduce restricture.Methods:77 patients, treated in The first people's hospital of YancHeng from January, 2015 to December, 2018, were randomized to receive EEPD combined with either compound betamethasone injection or placebo injection. A total of 2 ml of compound betamethasone injection or an identical volume of normal saline solution as a placebo was injected per site using a 23-gauge needle immediately after EEPD. Patients and treating physicians were blinded to the treatment. The primary endpoint was the number of dilations required to resolve the stricture、restricture-free survival、time required to resolve the stricture and adverse events.Results:During the 4-years study period, Finally , 74 patients , who were randomized to either the steroid group (37 cases) or placebo group (37 cases), comprised the per-protocol population .The median number of EEPD required to resolve strictures was 2.0( IQR 1.0-3.0) in the steroid group and 3.0 ( IQR 3.0-4.5) in the placebo group ( P<0.001). After 6 months of follow-up, 27.0% of patients who had received steroid injections remained recurrence free compared with 3.5% of those who had received saline injections( P<0.001). The median time of EEPD required to resolve the stricture was 88 days( IQR 0-98 days)in the steroid group and 131 days( IQR 97-157 days)in the placebo group( P<0.001). No adverse events occurred related to the EEPD or steroid injection occurred. Conclusion:Endoscopic esophageal probe dilation combined with compound betamethasone injection shows promising results for the prevention of stricture recurrence in patients of anastomotic strictures.
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Objective To describe the technique, efficacy, and safety of percutaneous interventional therapy for anastomotic biliary strictures after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).Methods From May 2004 to December 2009, 25 patients with anastomotic biliary strictures afte OLT were enrolled in our study. The modalities of biliary drainage included external drainage in 22patients, and external-internal drainage in 3 patients who underwent re-transplantation. All patients accepted percutaneous interventional therapy in our hospital, including single PTBD in 4 patients,PTBD combined with balloon dilation in 14 patients, balloon dilation and plastic stent implantation in 5 patients, balloon dilation and metallic stent implantation in 2 patients. The drainage catheters were exchanged every 1 to 3 months. Results The success rate of PTBD was 100%. Of the all 25patients, 15 (60 %) patients were cured, and 10 (40 %) patients were improved. The effective rate was 100 %. The drainage catheters failed to pass through the narrow bile duct when initial PTBD in 7 patients, and success was achieved in 3 patients by operation again after biliary drainage for one week.In the other 4 patients, anastomotic bile ducts were occluded, which was confirmed by cholangiography after biliary drainage for 4 to 8 weeks. The rate of biliary tract infection was 24 % (6/25). No serious procedure-related complications occurred in the all 25 patients. Conclusion PTBD combined with balloon dilation and biliary stenting is a effective and safe therapeutic modality for anastomotic biliary strictures after OLT, which can improve the patients' clinical symptoms and elevate patients' quality of life. To avoid bile duct occlusion, the drainage catheters should be passed through the narrow segments of bile duct when initial PTBD.
ABSTRACT
Biliary strictures are one of the most common complications following liver transplantation, representing an important cause of morbidity and mortality in transplant recipients. The reported incidence of biliary stricture is 5% to 15% following deceased donor liver transplantations and 28% to 32% following living donor liver transplantations. Bile duct strictures following liver transplantation are easily and conveniently classified as anastomotic strictures (AS) or non-anastomotic strictures (NAS). NAS are characterized by a far less favorable response to endoscopic management, higher recurrence rates, graft loss and the need for retransplantation. Current endoscopic strategies to correct biliary strictures following liver transplantation include repeated balloon dilatations and the placement of multiple side-by-side plastic stents. Endoscopic balloon dilatation with stent placement is successful in the majority of AS patients. In patients for whom gaining biliary access is technically difficult, a combined endoscopic and percutaneous/surgical approach proves quite useful. Future directions, including novel endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography techniques, advanced endoscopy, and improved stents could allow for a decreased number of interventions, increased intervals before retreatment, and decreased reliance on percutaneous and surgical modalities. The aim of this review is to detail the present status of endoscopy in the diagnosis, treatment, outcome, and future directions of biliary strictures related to orthotopic liver transplantation from the viewpoint of a clinical gastroenterologists.