Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in management of biliary complications after liver transplantation / 中华消化内镜杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the effect of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in treatment of biliary complications after liver transplantation. Methods Data of 39 patients who underwent ERCP between January 2005 and December 2007 because of biliary complications after liver trans-plantation were retrospectively evaluated. Endoscopic sphincterotomy, dilatation, nasal-biliary drainage (ENBD) and stent placement were performed in 25 patients with biliary strictures (14 at anastomosis site and 11 at non-anastomosis site). ENBD and stent placement were applied in 6 patients with biliary leakage, while endoscopic sphincterotomy, ENBD and stone extraction with baskets were performed in 16 patients with biliary stones. Procedures were repeated when necessary. Results ERCP was successfully performed at a rate of 95.9% (94/98) without any severe complications. Strictures at anastomosis site were resolved in all patients (100%, 14/14), while for strictures at non-anastomosis site, only 27.3% (3/11) were cured. Biliary leakage was resolved in 83.3% (5/6) patients. Complete bile duet clearance was achieved in 81.3% (13/16) of the patients with biliary stones. Conclusion ERCP proves to be safe and effective in the treatment of post liver transplantation biliary complications with low incidence of severe complications.