Case report: Biliobronchial fistula after biliary tract stenosis.

Biliobronchial fistula (BBF) is a rare abnormality resulting from congenital or acquired communication between the bile ducts and the bronchial tree. Patients often suffer from chronic cough, dyspnea, and bilioptysis, a pathognomonic symptom of this condition. Conservative methods such as less-invasive procedures are gradually consolidating. Nonetheless, surgery remains the primary treatment, especially in more complex cases. We present the case of a 44-year-old woman with a chronic cough, no verified periods of fever, cyclic jaundice, and episodes of yellowish sputum. She had undergone cholecystectomy in 2018 and had been hospitalized several times since for pneumonia treatment. All consequent investigations for mycobacteriosis were negative. When referred to our hospital, she had cyclic jaundice and parenchymal consolidation in the right lower lobe. Suspected bilioptysis motivated the search for a biliobronchial fistula. Magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) confirmed stenosis of the biliary tract and fistulous path, and sputum analysis indicated high bilirubin levels. External biliary bypass was performed as an initial conservative and definitive therapy due to the presence of liver cirrhosis. Although BBF is a rare condition when bilioptysis is suspected, a diagnostic investigation should be initiated. Our case study proposes two criteria for diagnosis: an imaging exam demonstrating the fistulous path and confirmation of bilirubin in the sputum or bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). When diagnosed, surgical correction should be performed.

Clinical application of ECMO in protecting donor liver in organ donation after citizen's death / 器官移植

Objective To explore the feasibility of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in protecting the donor liver in donation after citizen's death. Methods Clinical data of 16 donors and recipients undergoing liver transplantation using ECMO to protect the donor liver were retrospectively analyzed. The effect of ECMO on different indicators of the donors was evaluated. The liver function and clinical prognosis of the recipients after liver transplantation were observed. Results Compared with the time before ECMO, the heart rate, total bilirubin (TB), alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) of the donors after ECMO were significantly reduced, whereas the systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2) were remarkably increased (all P < 0.05). The liver function of the recipients was properly recovered after liver transplantation, and gradually restored normal at postoperative 7 to 28 d. Postoperative complications occurred in 3 recipients, including delayed liver function recovery in 1 case, biliary tract stenosis in 1 case and portal vein thrombosis in 1 case. Among them, the patient with portal vein thrombosis died after secondary operation, and the other 2 patients were recovered and discharged after symptomatic treatment. Conclusions The hemodynamics, liver function and other indicators of donors from donation after citizen's death are significantly improved after ECMO, and the liver function of the recipients also recover well.

Prevention experience of biliary tract complications after liver transplantation from organ donation after citizen's death / 器官移植

Objective To summarize the experience of prevention of biliary tract complications after liver transplantation from organ donation after citizen's death. Methods Clinical data of 88 cases undergoing liver transplantation from organ donation after citizen's death in the Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from October 2008 to December 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Results Eighty-eight cases were eligible for the standards for organ donation after brain death plus cardiac death according to the Ⅲ national system for organ donation in China. According to the standard procedures, donor livers were successfully harvested and transplanted in 88 recipients. The biliary tract was reconstructed using the bile duct end-to-end anastomosis. The length of bile duct in the donors was shortened as possible. Slight tension should be maintained during anastomosis. Neither primary liver graft nonfunction nor rejection reaction occurred. One recipient suffered from bile leakage and recovered after drainage for 3 weeks. Two patients presented with biliary tract stenosis and mitigated after the placement of biliary tract stent. Conclusions The harvesting of donor liver should be in accordance with the standard procedures. The advantages of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) should be fully utilized to shorten warm and cold ischemia time as possible. Much attention should be diverted to the reconstruction of biliary tract, which contributes to decreasing the risk of biliary tract complications. Favorable clinical efficacy can be achieved in liver transplantation from organ donation after citizen's death.