Endoscopic management of biliary anastomotic stricture after orthotopic Hver transplantation / 中华消化内镜杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate an effective endoscopic management of biliary anastomotic stric-tures (AS) following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) and to evaluate the factors which may effect the ontcome. Methods Sixty-five patients, who were diagnosed as AS 3 months after OLT, underwent ERCP. Af-ter adequate dilation of the narrowing bile ducts, plastic stents, as many as possible, were inserted across the strictures and kept in place for at least six months. Results A total of 90 consecutive endoscopic procedures were performed in 65 patients. Before stents placement, the strictures were dilated by catheter or balloon (di-ameter range 6-10 mm), or not dilated, according to the status of the bile ducts. An average of 3 (ranging from 2 to 6) plastic stents were placed with mean total size of 22.8 F (range 14-42 F), and the stents were kept for 8. 0 months on average (range 0.2-37.8 months). Of 90 procedures of stents placement, 54 (60%) were followed by stents removal and cholangiography, which confirmed stricture resolution in 26 (48.1%). The stricture resolution rate was 81.0% (17/21) in patients who underwent balloon dilation followed by more than 3 stents (> 21 F) for at least 3 months. Stricture re-occurred in 3 patients after stents removal, in whom stents were kept less than six months. Conclusion Endoscopic sequential intervention is effective for post-OLT biliary strictures according to the stage and grade. Radical dilation with maximal stenting can lead to complete resolution of AS. To achieve better result, if possible, balloon dilatation followed by three or mere endoprothe-ses (of at least 21 F) sustaining for more than 6 months is necessary.