Investigation and Ethical Consideration of Perioperative Complications in Patients with Liver Transplantation / 中国医学伦理学

To explore the prevention and treatment of perioperative complications of adult liver transplantation patients from the perspective of ethics, and carry out ethical thinking in order to provide theoretical support. Through a cross-sectional study, 189 patients selected by strict admission criteria who received liver transplantation in the department of hepatobiliary surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University from January 2018 to May 2019, to explore the incidence and ethical problems of perioperative complications in adult liver transplantation. The results showed that 87 patients had complications among 189 patients, the incidence was 46.03%. Among them, 28 patients with pleural effusion, the incidence was 14.81%; 15 patients with biliary complications, the incidence was 7.94%; 14 patients with diabetes mellitus, the incidence was 7.41%. The incidence of complications after liver transplantation is high, mainly including pleural effusion, biliary complications and diabetes mellitus. Thus, the prevention and intervention from the perspective of nursing ethics is worth exploring.

Risk factors of biliary complications after pediatric living donor liver transplantation / 中华器官移植杂志

Objective:To explore the risk factors of biliary complications(BCS)after pediatric living donor liver transplantation(LDLT).Methods:From January 2016 to December 2020, retrospective review of clinical data was performed for 681 children aged <18 years undergoing LDLT.There were 324 boys and 357 girls with a median age of 7.4 months and a median weight of 7.0 kg.Among 61 BCS patients(9.0%), there were biliary stricture(n=34, 5.0%), bile leakage(n=21, 3.1%)and bile leakage combined with biliary stricture(n=6, 0.9%). According to the absence or presence of BCS after LT, the recipients were divided into two groups of BCS(n=61)and non-BCS(n=620). The incidence and risk factors of BCS were analyzed.T-test, Wilcoxon rank sum test, Chi square or Fisher exact test was employed for univariate statistical analysis and Logistic regression for multivariate statistical analysis.Results:The median follow-up period was 35.5 months.Univariate analysis revealed statistically significant inter-group differences( P=0.005, 0.046, 0.009, 0.011, 0.024, 0.023, 0.004, 0.038, 0.002, 0.029, 0.023, 0.002, 0.011)in donor age[(31.4±5.7)vs.(34.3±7.5)years], time of anhepatic phase[43(37.0, 53.0)vs.47(38.8, 56.0)min], time from portal vein opening to hepatic artery opening[35(30.0, 41.0)vs. 38(30.8, 47.8)min], type of perfusion fluid, number of donor bile ducts, intestinal loop length[40(30.0, 40.0)vs.40(25.0, 40.0)cm], mode of biliary reconstruction, whether or not placing a support tube, incidence of hepatic artery thrombosis[1.6%(10/620)vs.9.8%(6/61)], incidence of abdominal infection[4.5%(28/620)vs.11.5%(7/61)], incidence of cytomegalovirus(CMV)infection[55.3%(343/620)vs.70.5%(43/61)], incidence of portal vein thrombosis[1.1%(7/620)vs.8.2%(5/61)]and incidence of pulmonary infection[19.0%(118/620)vs.32.8%(20/61)]. Multivariate analysis indicated that independent risk factors of BCS included donor age( P=0.023), number of donor bile ducts( P=0.017), time from portal vein opening to hepatic artery opening( P=0.010), hepatic artery thrombosis( P=0.004), abdominal infection( P=0.019), CMV infection( P=0.022), portal vein thrombosis( P=0.003), pulmonary infection( P=0.021)and short intestinal loop length( P=0.012). Conclusions:Biliary complications are common after pediatric LDLT.Independent risk factors are donor age, number of donor bile ducts, time from portal vein opening to hepatic artery opening, hepatic artery thrombosis, abdominal infection, CMV infection, portal vein thrombosis, pulmonary infection and short length of intestinal loop.

Treatment and prevention of ischemic-type biliary lesions after liver transplantation in the donation after cardiac death era / 中华消化外科杂志

Biliary complications, especially the ischemic-type biliary lesions (ITBL), are the main causes of mortality and retransplantation for patients undergoing liver transplantation. In recent years, the application of marginal donor livers such as livers from donor of cardiac death and fatty liver leads to high incidence of ITBL. As a result, the treatment and prevention of ITBL after liver transplantation become a research hotspot. Based on the global research progress and the clinical experience of their liver transplantation center, the authors investigate the treatment and prevention of ITBL after liver transplantation in the donation after cardiac death era.

Biliary complications and recovery of liver function after liver transplantation from citizen's deceased donors versus standard criteria donors / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective To investigate the biliary complications and recovery of liver function after liver transplantation from citizen's deceased donors (DCD) versus standard criteria donors (SCD).Method The clinical data of 269 patients who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation from January 2009 to December 2016 at the Fuzhou General Hospital were collected.197 livers were from SCD and 72 from DCD.Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to compare the biliary complications and recovery of liver function after liver transplantation in the two groups.Results PSM matched 61 pairs of patients.There were 10 (16.4％) and 8 (13.1％) biliary complications in the DCD and the SCD groups,respectively,with no significant difference between them (P ＞ 0.05).The recovery of liver function was significantly delayed in the DCD group when compared with the SCD group.The levels of ALT,AST,GGT and AKP in the DCD group were significant different on the postoperative first,third,fifth,seventh and fourteenth day (P ＜ 0.05).At 30 days after surgery,there was no significant difference in liver function between the two groups.Conclusions Liver grafts from DCD had a significant impact on the recovery of liver function.When compared with the SCD group,the DCD group recovered significantly slower in liver function.There was no significant increase in the incidence of biliary complications.

Biliary complications after liver transplantation / Complicações biliares pós-transplante hepático

ABSTRACT Background: Biliary reconstitution has been considered the Achilles's heel of liver transplantations due to its high rate of postoperative complications. Aim: To evaluate the risk factors for occurrence of biliary strictures and leakages, and the most efficient methods for their treatment. Method: Of 310 patients who underwent liver transplantation between 2001 and 2015, 182 medical records were retrospectively analyzed. Evaluated factors included demographic profile, type of transplantation and biliary reconstitution, presence of vascular and biliary complications, their treatment and results. Results: 153 (84.07%) deceased donor and 29 (15.93%) living donor transplantations were performed. Biliary complications occurred in 49 patients (26.92%): 28 strictures (15.38%), 14 leakages (7.7%) and seven leakages followed by strictures (3.85%). Hepatic artery thrombosis was present in 10 patients with biliary complications (20.4%; p=0,003). Percutaneous and endoscopic interventional procedures (including balloon dilation and stent insertion) were the treatment of choice for biliary complications. In case of radiological or endoscopic treatment failure, surgical intervention was performed (biliodigestive derivation or retransplantation (32.65%). Complications occurred in 25% of patients treated with endoscopic or percutaneous procedures and in 42.86% of patients reoperated. Success was achieved in 45% of patients who underwent endoscopic or percutaneous procedures and in 61.9% of those who underwent surgery. Conclusion: Biliary complications are frequent events after liver transplantation. They often require new interventions: endoscopic and percutaneous procedures at first and surgical treatment when needed. Hepatic artery thrombosis increases the number of biliary complications.

RESUMO Racional: A reconstituição biliar é considerada o calcanhar-de-Aquiles do transplante hepático devido à sua elevada taxa de complicações pós-operatórias. Objetivo: Analisar os fatores de risco para ocorrência de estenoses e fístulas biliares e os métodos terapêuticos mais eficientes para seu tratamento. Método: De 310 pacientes transplantados entre 2001 e 2015, 182 prontuários foram analisados retrospectivamente. Foram avaliados o perfil demográfico dos pacientes, tipo de transplante e reconstituição biliar, presença de complicações biliares e vasculares, tratamento utilizado e seus resultados. Resultados: Foram realizados 153 (84,07%) transplantes hepáticos cadavéricos e 29 intervivos (15,93%). Complicações biliares ocorreram em 49 pacientes (26,92%): 28 estenoses (15,38%), 14 fístulas (7,7%) e sete fístulas seguidas de estenose (3,85%). Trombose de artéria hepática esteve presente em 10 pacientes com complicações biliares (20,4%, p=0,003). Os tratamentos de escolha foram os procedimentos endoscópicos ou percutâneos (incluindo dilatação por balão e colocação de próteses (40,82%). No insucesso deles, foi realizado tratamento cirúrgico (derivação biliodigestiva ou retransplante (32,65%). Complicações ocorreram em 25% dos pacientes que fizeram procedimentos endoscópicos ou percutâneos e em 42,86% dos submetidos ao tratamento cirúrgico. A resolução das complicações biliares foi de 45% com os procedimentos endoscópicos ou percutâneos e de 61,9% com o cirúrgico. Conclusão: Complicações biliares são frequentes após transplante hepático. Comumente requerem novas intervenções. Os procedimentos endoscópicos e percutâneos são a primeira escolha e os cirúrgicos, empregados na falha destes. Trombose de artéria hepática aumenta a incidência de complicações biliares.

Application of ERCP in treatment for biliary complications of hepatic hydatid disease / 中国内镜杂志

Objective To evaluate the role of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in treatment for biliary complications of hepatic hydatid disease. Methods From October 2010 to October 2016 , 27 patients who were admitted for hepatic hydatid disease underwent therapeutic ERCP pre- or post-operation, then we retrospectively analyzed the clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, imaging examinations, ERCP methods and therapeutic effects in perioperative period of ERCP. Results All the 27 patients who underwent ERCP pre-or post-operations because of biliary complications of hepatic hydatid disease obtained good treatment effect. There were some reasons for ERCP, 12 cases for acute suppurative cholangitis and obstructive jaundice caused by intrabiliary rupture and 7 for severe jaundice compress by large hepatic hydatid cyst, whereas 6 cases for biliary fistula and 2 for biliary stricture after operation. 6 indexes including white blood cell count (WBC), aspertate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin (TBIL), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) were significantly different between 24 hours pre- and 48 hours post- ERCP (P < 0.05), all the patients were improved after operation. Conclusion ERCP which is performed at pre- or post- operation may be an effective treatment for biliary complications of hepatic hydatid disease such as acute suppurative cholangitis, biliary fistula and stricture.

Investigation of percutaneous interventional treatments for biliary complications after liver transplantation / 中华器官移植杂志

Objective To investigate the technique,efficacy,and safety of percutaneous interventional treatments for biliary complications (BC) after liver transplantation (LT).Methods The clinical and imaging data of 127 patients with BC after LT,who received percutaneous interventional treatments in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from January 2006 to December 2015,were analyzed retrospectively.On the basis of the cholangiographic appearance,patients were classified into 5 groups:biliary leakage group (n =11),anastomotic biliary strictures group (n=28),hilar biliary strictures group (n =30),multifocal biliary strictures group (n =51),and bilomas group (n =7).The modality of interventional treatments was percutanous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD),PTBD combined with balloon dilation,PTBD combined with balloon dilation and stent implantation.The methods of biliary drainage included external drainage and external-internal drainage.All the patients were followed up after treatment.The curative effect and operation-correlated complications were observed.Results The first successful rate of PTBD was 97.6％ (124/ 127).The total curative rate,improvement rate and inefficacy rate of interventional treatments were 37.8％ (48/127),44.9％ (57/127) and 17.3％ (22/127) respectively.In biliary leakage group,all the patients were cured by percutaneous interventional treatments with the curative rate being 100％.In anastomotic biliary strictures group,the cure and improvement rates were 64.3％ (18/28) and 35.7％ (10/28) respectively.The efficacy rate was 100％ (28/28).In hilar biliary strictures group,the cure,improvement and inefficacy rates were 40％ (12/30),53.3％ (16/30) and 6.7％ (2/30) respectively.The efficacy rate was 93.3％ (28/30).In multifocal biliary strictures group,the cure,improvement and inefficacy rates were 13.7％ (7/51),54.9％ (28/51) and 31.4％ (16/51) respectively.The efficacy rate was 68.6％ (35/51).In bilomas group,3 cases (3/7) obtained improvement and treatment of 4 cases was inefficative.The efficacy was the best for the patients with bilary leakage,and it was the worst for the patient with bilomas (P＜0.001).The main operation-correlated complication was bile tract infection during drainage.The rates of bile tract infection were 32.4％ (34/105) and 81.8％ (18/22) in patients with external drainage and external-internal drainage,respectively.There was statistically significant difference between these two items (P＜ 0.001).Conclusion PTBD combined with balloon dilation and biliary stent implantation is a safe and effective therapeutic modality for BC after LT,which can improve patients' clinical symptoms,improve patients' quality of life.The patients with bilomas should be treated by retransplantation as soon as possible.The biliary external drainage can decrease the rate of biliary tract infection significantly.

The evaluation of diagnosis and treatment effects of ERCP in bile leaks following orthotopic liver transplantation / 天津医药

Objective To evaluate the curative efficacy of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) on bile leaks after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Methods Data of 12 cases, hospitalized in our hospital from March 2013 to February 2016, with bile leaks after OLT confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging of the pancreas (MRCP) or ERCP were retrospectively analyzed . The curative efficacy of ERCP was evaluated including clinical symptoms of bile leaks and complications, occurrence time and location, diagnosis and treatment process and efficacy. Results In this study, 12 cases were male patients, with the average age of 49.75 ± 8.55 (age from 35 to 62 years old). Among them 11 cases were successfully treated by endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD), and the success rate of endoscopical therapy was 91.7%, the curative rate of bile leaks was 91.7%(11/12). No ERCP related serious complications and death were found in patients. Nine cases combined with biliary strictures and/or biliary duct stone/bile plug were performed endoscopic sphinctrotomy (EST) during the first time of ERCP, and accepted further ERCP treatment after 2 weeks when the bile leaks were healed. All patients with ENBD were carried out well except one case. Conclusion ERCP is a safe and effective minimally invasive treatment method for different types of bile leaks after OLT.

A meta-analysis of the biliary complications in adult living donor liver transplantation to compare duct-to-duct hepaticocholedochostomy with Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy biliary reconstruction / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective To compare the incidences of biliary complication after adult living donor liver transplantation (ALDLT) using Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy (R-Y HJ) with duct-to-duct hepaticocholedochostomy (D-D HC).Methods A meta-analysis was conducted by searching the Medline-PubMed,EMBASE,Scielo-LILACS,and Cochrane Databases.A comparison using 95％ confidence intervals was performed on different biliary reconstruction techniques in liver transplantation with regard to occurrence of biliary complications.Results According to our predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria,seven clinical studies were selected to compare D-D HC with R-Y HJ.The overall biliary comphcation rates,biliary stricture rates and biliary leakage rates were compared.The overall biliary complication rate and the biliary stricture rate of R-Y HJ were significantly less than D-D HC,but the biliary leakage rate of R-Y HJ was similar with the D-D HC (overall biliary complication rate P ＜ 0.05,OR =0.35,95％ CI:0.15 ～ 0.81,I2 =28％ ; biliary stricture rate P ＜ 0.05,OR =0.43,95％ CI:0.29 ～ 0.65,I2 =49％ ; biliary leakage rate P=0.05,OR=1.62,95％ CI:1.01 ～2.60,I2 =19％).Conclusions The meta-analysis showed that biliary reconstruction in ALDLT should be performed using R-Y HJ.

Clinical analysis of 47 cases with mid-and long-term biliary complications after liver transplantation / 器官移植

Objective To investigate the incidence,treatment and outcome of mid-and long-term biliary complications after liver transplantation.Methods Clinical data of 651 patients who underwent liver transplantation at General Hospital of Armed Police Forces from April 2002 to February 2012 were retrospectively studied to analyze the incidence, treatment and outcome of mid-and long-term biliary complications after liver transplantation.Results Among 651 liver transplant cases,47 patients (7.2%) developed mid-and long-term biliary complications.The mean time of onset was 21 months.Forty seven patients underwent 48 cases of treatment in total.Nine cases received anti-inflammatory therapy alone.Fourteen cases were treated with choledochoscope lithotomy,choledochoscope biliary cast or placing the biliary support tube.And 13 cases underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)nephrolithotomy, expanding the bile duct or placing the biliary support tube,including 1 patient was switched to percutaneous transhepatic cholangial drainage (PTCD)due to ERCP failure.Seven cases received drainage by PTCD and 5 cases were treated with anti-inflammatory therapy combined with choledochoscope or PTCD. The total efficacious rate was 92% . Among 3 invalid patients, two patients were treated with secondary liver transplantation and one died.Conclusions The mid-and long-term biliary complications probably occur after liver transplantation.Individualized therapies should be chosen based upon the types and severity of biliary complications,which yields relatively high efficacious rate.Secondary liver transplantation should be performed as necessary.

Clinical efficacy of tertiary liver transplantation / 中华消化外科杂志

Objective To investigate the efficacy of tertiary liver transplantation.Methods The clinical data of 4 patients with hepatobiliary disease who were admitted to the General Hospital of Chinese People's Armed Police Forces from April 2002 to December 2012 were retrospectively analyzed.All the patients received orthotopic liver transplantation,and received tacrolimus + mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) + hormone after operation.All the patients were followed up till May 2014,and their prognosis was learned.The measurement data were analyzed using the t test.Results Three patients with benign hepatic disease received tertiary liver transplantation due to biliary complications and chronic rejection,and 1 patient with hepatic cancer received tertiary liver transplantation because of hepatic cancer recurrence.The average interval between the primary and secondary liver transplantation was 16.0 months,which was shorter than 22.5 months of the interval between the secondary and tertiary liver transplantation.The mean operation time in the secondary liver transplantation was (11.4 ± 1.0)hours,which was significantly shorter than (14.1 ± 2.2) hours in the tertiary liver transplantation (t =3.644,P ＜ 0.05).The median volumes of blood loss in the secondary and tertiary liver transplantation were 1 300 mL and 1 800 mL,and the median volumes of blood transfusion were 1 400 mL and 3 100 mL.The hepatic function of the 4 patients recovered smoothly at the early time after liver transplantation.Two patients (3 cases) were complicated with infection postoperatively (1 patient was infected by pseudomonas aeruginosa within 30 days after liver transplantation,and was cured by active antimicrobial treatment),and they were cured after anti-infectional treatment.One patient died of hepatic failure at the 80th month after the primary liver transplantation,1 died of hepatic cancer recurrence complicated by pulmonary,bone and retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis at the 107th month after the primary liver transplantation,and the other 2 patients survived for 104 months and 26 months after the primary liver transplantation,respectively.Conclusion Tertiary liver transplantation is effective for the treatment of biliary complications and chronic rejection after liver transplantation,and it can extend the life span of patients with hepatic cancer recurrence if there are insufficient donor resources.

Diagnóstico y tratamiento de las complicaciones biliares asociadas al trasplante hepático / Diagnosis and treatment of biliary complications associated with liver transplantation

Las complicaciones biliares se presentan en 10 - 25% de los pacientes que reciben un trasplante hepático y pueden causar una importante morbilidad e incluso la pérdida del injerto. Las complicaciones más comunes son la estenosis biliar (anastomótica y no anastomótica), fuga biliar y litiasis biliar. La gran mayoría de estas complicaciones puede tratarse con éxito mediante colangiopancreatografía retrógrada endoscópica. Esta revisión se centra en el diagnóstico, factores de riego y tratamiento endoscópico de las complicaciones biliares asociadas al trasplante hepático

Biliary complications ocurr in 10 - 25% of liver transplant recipients and are associated to a significant morbidity and the possibility of graft failure. The most common biliary complications are strictures (both anastomotic and non-anastomotic), bile leaks and stones. Most of these complications can be appropriately managed with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. This article will review the diagnosis, risk factors, and endoscopic management of biliary complications related to liver transplantation

Endoscopic management of biliary complications following liver transplantation: Strategies and skills / 第二军医大学学报

Liver transplantation (LT) has become an important treatment for end stage hepatobiliary disorders. However, biliary complications following LT are common and greatly hamper the clinical efficacy. Endoscopic therapy has been the first-line modality for these biliary problems, though technically difficult and complex. We have managed more than 1 000 cases of complications following LT via endoscopic approach. Here we summarized the therapeutic methods and strategies of our center, hoping to provide evidence for better clinical practice.

Relationship between hepatic arterial buffer response and early biliary complications and small-for-size syndrome after living donor liver transplantation / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective To study the relationship between hepatic arterial buffer response (HABR),recovery of liver function,early biliary complications and small-for-size syndrome (SFSS).Methods Early hepatic hemodynamic parameters (including hepatic arterial flow (HAF),portal venous flow (PVF) were measured using duplex Doppler sonography in 34 patients who received living donor liver transplantation (preoperatively n＝26,intraoperatively n=26) and on postoperative days 1,2,3,and 7.Alanine aminotransferase (ALT),aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and total bilirubin (TBIL) level were measured preoperatively and on postoperative days 1,2,3,7,14,21,and 28.If TBIL level was elevated,we used B ultrasonography or CT and even ERCP to diagnose early biliary complications.The days taken for AST,AI T and TBIL to recover and the number of patients with early (＜60 days) biliary complications (bile leakage or bile stricture) and with small-for-size syndrome (SFSS) were recorded.Results Passive hepatic artery buffer response (HABR) was present in 11 patients early after living donor liver transplantation (group 1) and it disappeared in 23 patients (group 2).The recovery in days taken for normalization of AST (10.6± 8.8),AIT (11.6±9.0) and TBlL (average of 29) in group 1 were shorter than in group 2.However,the differences did not reach statistics difference (P＞0.05).The overall incidences of early biliary complications and small-for-size syndrome (SFSS) in group 1 were significantly lower than in group 2 (P=0.04).The survival rate in group 1 was 82 ％,compared with 74 ％ in group 2.Conclusions Passive hepatic arterial buffer response (HABR) disappeared in some patients early after living donor liver transplantation.There were high incidences of early biliary complications and small-for-size syndrome (SFSS) in these patients.Measurcment of hepatic buffer response in the early stage after living donor liver tranaplanta tion is valuable for predition of early biliary complications and small-for-size syndrome (SFSS),thus helping to prevent failure in transplantation.

Alternative Techniques for Cannulation of Biliary Strictures Resistant to the 0.035" System Following Living Donor Liver Transplantation

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical efficacy of alternative techniques for biliary stricture cannulation in patients undergoing living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), after cannulation failure with a conventional (0.035-inch guidewire) technique. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Of 293 patients with biliary strictures after LDLT, 19 (6%) patients, 11 men and 8 women of mean age 48.5 years, had the failed cannulation of the stricture by conventional techniques. Recannulation was attempted by using two alternative methods, namely a micro-catheter set via percutaneous access and a snare (rendezvous) technique using percutaneous and endoscopic approaches. RESULTS: Strictures were successfully cannulated in 16 (84%) of the 19 patients. A microcatheter set was used in 12 and a snare technique in four patients. Stricture cannulation failed in the remaining three patients, who finally underwent surgical revision. CONCLUSION: Most technical failures using a conventional technique for biliary stricture cannulation after LDLT can be overcome by using a microcatheter set or a snare (rendezvous) technique.

ERCP for diagnosis and management of biliary cast syndrome after liver transplantation / 中华消化内镜杂志

Objective To evaluate endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for diagnosis and management of biliary cast syndrome after orthotropic liver transplantation. Methods A total of 71 consecutive patients with abnormal liver function and MRCP findings after liver transplantation underwent ERCP for diagnosis and management. Their data were retrospectively reviewed. Results A total of 188 sessions of ERCP were carried out on the 71 patients, most of whom were found to have stenosis of anastomotic stoma and/or bile duct. Bile sludge was found and removed in all patients diagnosed within 3 months after liver transplantation, while pigmentoid stones were found and removed in patients diagnosed within 3-6 months and biliary casts in patients diagnosed at more than 6 months. Each patient underwent 2.6 sessions averagely. Biliary casts were formed at an average time of 22. 7 ± 15.6 months after transplantation. PostERCP complications included 2 cases of pancreatitis and 3 cholangitis, with an occurrence rate of 2. 6%(5/188), which were all controlled with conservative treatment. The follow-up data was available in 56 patients showing improvement in liver function after ERCP, among who 42 met the endoscopic criteria of cure,1 0 received second liver transplantation because of progressive sclerosing cholangitis and 4 died from diseases other than liver transplantation. Conclusion Therapeutic ERCP for the biliary cast syndrome after liver transplantation is feasible, safe and effective, and can be performed repeatedly with good short-term effect.

Safety and Efficacy of Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography in Patients with Post-Liver Transplant Biliary Complications: Results of a Cohort Study with Long-Term Follow-Up

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is the standard approach for the management of biliary complications in liver transplant patients; however, its safety and efficacy have not been established in this setting. This study was performed to evaluate the safety and long-term efficacy of ERCP in transplant patients. METHODS: The case reports of 1,500 liver transplant patients were reviewed. Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) patients were matched 1:2 with non-OLT patients and followed-up for long-term outcome (median, 7.4 years). RESULTS: Of the 1,500 liver transplant patients, 94 (6.3%) underwent 150 ERCPs after OLT. Anastomotic strictures were present in 45 patients, biliary stones in 24, biliary leaks in 7, papillary stenosis in 2, and primary sclerosing cholangitis in 1. An ERCP success rate of 90.7% was achieved; biliary stenting led to resolution of the bile leak in 7/7 (100%) patients, and biliary stones were removed in 21/24 (87.5%) patients. In addition, 34 of 45 patients with anastomotic stricture underwent endoscopic dilation. We obtained complete resolution in 22/34 (64.7%) patients. OLT patients did not show a higher probability of complications (odds ratio [OR], 1.04), of pancreatitis (OR, 0.80) or of bleeding (OR, 1.34). CONCLUSIONS: ERCP is safe and effective for the treatment of post-OLT biliary complications, has a low rate of pancreatitis and results in a durable effect.

Diagnosis and treatment for biliary complications of hepatic cystic echinococcosis / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective To evaluate the diagnosis and treatment of hepatic cystic echinococcosis with biliary complications. Methods 284 patients with hepatic cystic echinococcosis (CE) with biliary complications were surgically treated from January 2002 to January 2009 in our hospital. A summary of the surgical procedures was categorized and compared in the current study. Results (1) Intrabiliary rupture of CE with obstructive jaundice and (or) inflammation of bile duct (51 patients). The diagnosis of biliary complications of hepatic hydatid cyst was difficult on ultrasound and CT, with sensitivity rates of 78.4% and 85.7%, respectively. MRCP was an effective, noninvasive and useful diagnostic tool in difficult cases; ERCP was used as the gold standard in confirmation. Biliary fistulae were seen in 3 patients (10.7%) treated by suturing the rupture site. In the non-sutured group, 17 patients (74%) developed biliary fistulae after surgery (P＜0.01). In three patients the fistula was a high-output type (the fistula output was greater than 250 ml/d). (2) CE communicated with the bile duct and (or) infection (210 patients): The cavity-related problems and draining time in group C (no bile duct exploration and decompression) were significantly higher than group A (biliary system explored and decompressed through the cystic duct) and group B (biliary system explored and decompressed through the common bile duct), while cavity-related problems and draining time between the A and B groups showed no significant difference. Biliary tract-related problems in group A was significantly lower than group B (P＜0. 05). Conclusions (1) MRCP was an effective, noninvasive and useful diagnostic tool; ERCP was used only as the gold standard in confirming intrabiliary rupture of liver cystic hydatid disease, and also as an effective technique for treating extended postoperative external biliary fistula. (2) This study indicated that suturing the communication at the rupture site and biliary decompression were effective with low morbidity and mortality rates. (3) Cholangiography and common bile duct exploration through the cystic duct could solve the cavity-related problems while avoiding the T-tube related problems.

Incidencia, factores de riesgo y tratamiento de las complicaciones biliares del trasplante hepático / Biliary tract complications after liver transplantation

Biliary tract complications (BC) are cause of mortality after liver transplantation (LT). There are different treatment alternatives for this complication. Aim: to determ¨ªnate incidence, risk factors and treatment of biliary complications after LT. Materials and Methods: A retrospective descriptive cohort of patients undergoing LT between March 1994 and March 2009. Risk factors and incidence for BC were ex-plored. Also the BC impact on overall survival on LT patients was assessed. We used SPSS 15.0 for statistical analysis and considered a significant p value less than 0.05. Results: 107 LT were performed in 102 patients. In 30 (28 percent) there was some biliary complication. Ten (33.3 percent) were early complications (< 3 months) and 20 (66.7 percent) were late ( > 3 month). Anastomotic stricture was the more frequent BC. The gender male recipient, the cold ischemic time and biliary reconstruction technique without tutor were associated with an increased risk for BC. Endoscopic treatment of biliary stricture was successful in 91 percent of cases at one year follow up. Three (10 percent) patients died due to BC or their long-term treatment. Conclusions: Biliary Complications after Liver Transplantation are frequent and are cause of mortality. Decrease cold ischemic time and improve te-chniques for biliary reconstruction could reduce the high incidence of this complication.

Introducción: Las complicaciones biliares (CB) en el trasplante hepático (TH) son causa de mortalidad post-trasplante. Existen diferentes alternativas terapéuticas para su tratamiento. Objetivo: Determinar la incidencia, factores de riesgo y evaluar los resultados del tratamiento de las CB posterior al TH. Materiales y Método: Estudio retrospectivo, descriptivo de una cohorte de pacientes sometidos a un TH entre marzo-1994 y marzo-2009. Se analizó los factores de riesgo para CB, su incidencia en el tiempo, su tratamiento y se determinó su impacto en la sobrevida global de los pacientes. Se utilizó el programa SPSS 15.0 para cálculos estadísticos y se consideró significativo un p < 0,05. Resultados: Se realizaron 107 TH en 102 pacientes. En 30 (28 por ciento), se consignó una o más CB. En 10 (33,3 por ciento), la CB fue precoz y en 20 (66,7 por ciento) tardía. La estenosis de la anastomosis fue la CB más frecuente. El sexo masculino del receptor, el tiempo de isquemia fría y la técnica de reconstrucción biliar sin tutor, se asociaron significativamente a un mayor riesgo de CB. El tratamiento endoscópico de la estenosis biliar fue exitoso en el 91 por ciento de los casos a un año de seguimiento. Tres (10 por ciento) pacientes fallecieron por una CB o su tratamiento a largo plazo. Conclusiones: Las CB del TH son frecuentes y son causa de mortalidad. Disminuir el tiempo de isquemia fría y mejorar las técnicas de reconstrucción biliar podrían disminuir su incidencia.

Biliary reconstruction and biliary complications in living donor liver transplantation / 中华消化外科杂志

To systematically summarize the current status of surgical techniques in biliary reconstruction and biliary complications following living donor liver transplantation and analyze the biliary reconstruction techniques and difficulties in the prevention of biliary complications.The refinements of surgical techniques and successful prevention and therapeutic strategies for reducing biliary complications after living donor liver transplantation are discussed.