Removable intraductal stenting in duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction in liver transplantation

Biliary reconstruction during liver transplantation (LT) is most oftenly performed by duct-to-duct biliary anastomosis. We hypothesized that the internal stenting might diminish the incidence and severity of biliary complications in patients receiving small duct size donor grafts. The purpose of this study was to report a technique of biliary reconstruction, including intraductal stent tube (IST) placement followed by postoperative endoscopic removal. A custom-made segment of a T-tube was placed into the bile in 20 patients in whom the diameter of the graft bile duct was smaller than 5 mm. The tube was removed endoscopically 4-8 months after LT, or in case of IST-related adverse events. After a median follow-up of 15.2 (range 2.5-27.5) months, endoscopic removal of the IST was performed in 17 patients. No technical failure and no procedure-related complications were recorded during drain removal. Biliary complications occurred in four patients, including one cholangitis, one hemobilia, one asymptomatic biliary leakage, and one anastomotic stricture. No biliary complication occurred in the group of patients who underwent deceased donor whole graft LT. IST is technically feasible and safe, and may help to prevent severe biliary complication when duct-to-duct biliary anastomosis is performed on small size bile ducts.     

Endoscopic treatment of biliary complications after right-lobe living-donor liver transplantation with duct-to-duct biliary anastomosis

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to characterize the features of the biliary complications that occur after right-lobe living-donor liver transplantation (RL-LDLT) with duct-to-duct biliary anastomosis, and to evaluate the efficacy of treating biliary complications endoscopically. METHODS: The records of 273 consecutive patients who underwent RL-LDLT with duct-to-duct biliary anastomosis from July 1999 through July 2005 at Kyoto University Hospital were reviewed to determine the overall incidence of postoperative biliary complications and the outcome of endoscopic repair of those complications. RESULTS: Biliary complications occurred in 93 (34.1%) of the patients. These complications were: 80 biliary strictures (75 anastomotic and 5 nonanastomotic) and 16 biliary leakages (5 patients with biliary leakage also had a biliary stricture); most (72%) of the anastomotic strictures were complex (i.e., fork-shaped or trident-shaped). The strictures and leakages were repaired by the endoscopic placement of multiple inside stents above the sphincter of Oddi, and by nasobiliary drainage, respectively. The procedure was successful in repairing 51 (68.0%) of the anastomotic strictures and 8 (50.0%) of the biliary leakages. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic stenting of the bile ducts is efficacious in treating biliary complications related to RL-LDLT with duct-to-duct biliary anastomosis and the stenting should be attempted before surgical revision of strictures and leakages.     

Long-term outcomes of endoscopic management for biliary strictures after living donor liver transplantation with duct-to-duct reconstruction

Biliary strictures after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) with duct-to-duct (D-D) reconstruction are associated with postoperative morbidity and mortality. The aims of this study were to evaluate the long-term outcomes of endoscopic deployment of plastic stents, and to investigate factors associated with the stent deployment failure. Between April 2001 and May 2007, 96 patients received LDLT with D-D reconstruction at Okayama University Hospital. Among them, 41 patients (43%) had anastomotic biliary strictures, and all were referred first for endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC). When deployment was unsuccessful, a percutaneous transhepatic procedure was employed. Successful stent deployment was achieved in 35 out of total 41 patients (85%) by both procedures. Among the 35 patients, 28 had their stents removed as a result of strictures resolution. Eight patients underwent ERC and repeated stent deployment as a result of recurrence of the strictures. Finally, 21 out of 41 (51%) patients with biliary stricture were completely treated by endoscopic therapy during the observation period (median 873 days: range 77–2060). By multivariate analysis, biliary leakage was associated with stent deployment failure. Endoscopic deployment of plastic stents is a first-line therapy for patients with biliary stricture after LDLT.     

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目的探讨原位肝移植术后非吻合口胆管狭窄(NABS)的预防和治疗措施。方法对2004年1月至2006年12月中山大学附属第一医院收治的516例同种原位肝移植病人的临床资料进行回顾性分析。总结肝移植术后发生NABS的情况。结果共发生NABS18例(3.5%),其中肝门部胆管狭窄9例,肝内胆管多发狭窄6例,肝内外胆管多发狭窄3例。18例病人采用给予反复的介入、内镜治疗、外科重建胆道及再次肝移植治疗。该组近期临床治愈率为55.6%(10/18),与NABS相关的再次肝移植率为38.9%(7/18),与NABS相关病死率为22.2%(4/18)。结论肝移植术后发生NABS临床处理棘手,应注重预防。NABS的治疗主要包括介入治疗和手术治疗,其中胆管介入治疗在NABS的临床处理中仍占重要地位,对于介入治疗、外科手术重建胆道等措施均无法控制其进行性发展的重度NABS病人,应把握好时机行再次肝移植。     

Two-step biliary external stent removal after living donor liver transplantation.

Biliary stenting plays an important role in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) as the rate of biliary complication is higher in LDLT than in diseased donor whole LT. We use a 2-mm tube for stenting at the biliary anastomosis, externalize it through the lower common bile duct, and fistulize it using duodenal serosa. After 3 months without biliary complications ensured by a cholangiogram, the stent tube is removed in a two-step manner, allowing bile to drain under a fluoroscope. The incidence of local peritonitis was lower, and the hospital stay was shorter with the two-step procedure. We herein report on the method of the two-step removal and its efficacy.     

Extrahepatic biliary stricture associated with cytomegalovirus in a liver transplant recipient

We describe a patient who developed a stricture in the distal common bile duct 6 weeks after orthotopic liver transplantation. Histopathologic examination of the bile duct epithelium in the region of the stricture showed characteristic cytomegalovirus (CMV) inclusions. CMV was also identified in pulmonary alveoli and in the duodenum. Although CMV has been demonstrated in the biliary epithelium of AIDS patients with extrahepatic biliary strictures and biliary obstruction, this entity has not, to our knowledge, been described in liver transplant recipients. This report confirms that CMV infection should be included as a probable cause of extrahepatic biliary strictures and bile duct obstruction in liver transplant patients.     

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目的 探讨肝脏移植胆道重建的外科技巧和影响胆道重建效果的因素。方法 对中山大学附属第一医院器官移植中心2004—2005年施行368例同种原位肝移植病人的临床资料进行分析总结。结果：368例肝移植病人中36例（9．8％）发生与胆道相关的并发症。23例经非手术治疗而愈；13例行开腹手术治疗，其中7例接受再次肝脏移植。5例因胆道并发症导致死亡，死亡原因为严重胆道感染和腹腔感染，病死率为13．9％。结论 保证供、受体胆管断端良好血液供应，正确选择胆道重建方式，精细的显微外科胆管吻合技术和确保胆管通畅性等，是提高胆道重建质量、降低胆道并发症发生率的重要因素。     

Biliary complications in orthotopic liver transplantation: experience with a modified technique of duct-to-duct reconstruction

Biliary complications are described as frequent causes of morbidity during the postoperative course of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLTx), even in recent papers. The authors report here on their experience with duct-to-duct anastomosis as their method of choice for biliary reconstruction in a consecutive series of 100 OLTx in adult patients. The original technique, as described by Starzl, was modified by the authors by performing a wide, longitudinal plasty of both the donor and recipient bile ducts, joined together with two polidioxanone running sutures, producing the effect of a side-to-side anastomosis. This technique was used in all procedures, even when a significant discrepancy was evident between the ducts (n=10). Follow-up was completed in 100% of the patients for a period of 2–40 months (mean 13.1 months). Four major complications (4%) occurred including hepatic abscesses due to ascending cholangitis, T-tube dislocation, partial occlusion by a branch of the T-tube at the anastomotic site, and disruption of the bile duct after T-tube removal. In four other patients, transient abdominal pain followed removal of the stent. Neither strictures nor fistulas were observed. Choledochocholedochostomy on a T-tube stent represents, in our experience, the technique of choice for biliary reconstruction in OLTx. The procedure, as described in the present study, proved to be safe in preventing strictures and leakages and appears to be feasible in nearly 100% of all adult patients undergoing OLTx.     

Reappraisal of duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction in hepatic resection for liver tumors

BACKGROUND: Duct-to-duct reconstruction is theoretically suitable for short segmental defects of the bile duct. This technique would also be useful, without jeopardizing the curability, in selected cases with hepatic malignancies requiring concomitant liver and bile duct resection. METHODS: For biliary reconstruction after hepatectomy, duct-to-duct reconstruction was performed in 4 patients at our institution between 1994 and 2004. The surgical techniques used are presented, along with the results of evaluation of the outcome, including postoperative and long-term morbidity and survival. RESULTS: Duct-to-duct reconstruction was safely performed in the 4 patients with the defects ranging in size from 10 to 19 mm. None of the cases developed local recurrence at the anastomotic site. None of the cases developed stenosis of the anastomotic site either, but cholangitis occurred in 1 patient. CONCLUSIONS: Duct-to-duct reconstruction for short segmental defects after the removal of hepatic malignant tumors is feasible with less operative and long-term morbidity. It is essential to select patients carefully when thinking of performing duct-to-duct anastomosis without complication and cancer infiltration.     

Biliary complications in orthotopic liver transplantation: experience with a modified technique of duct-to-duct reconstruction

Abstract. Biliary complications are described as frequent causes of morbidity during the postoperative course of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLTx), even in recent papers. The authors report here on their experience with duct-to-duct anastomosis as their method of choice for biliary reconstruction in a consecutive series of 100 OLTx in adult patients. The original technique, as described by Starzl, was modified by the authors by performing a wide, longitudinal plasty of both the donor and recipient bile ducts, joined together with two polidioxanone running sutures, producing the effect of a side-to-side anastomosis. This technique was used in all procedures, even when a significant discrepancy was evident between the ducts ( n = 10). Follow-up was completed in 100% of the patients for a period of 2–40 months (mean 13.1 months). Four major complications (4%) occurred including hepatic abscesses due to ascending cholangitis, T-tube dislocation, partial occlusion by a branch of the T-tube at the anastomotic site, and disruption of the bile duct after T-tube removal. In four other patients, transient abdominal pain followed removal of the stent. Neither strictures nor fistulas were observed. Choledochocholedochostomy on a T-tube stent represents, in our experience, the technique of choice for biliary reconstruction in OLTx. The procedure, as described in the present study, proved to be safe in preventing strictures and leakages and appears to be feasible in nearly 100% of all adult patients undergoing OLTx.     

Biliary reconstruction in pediatric live donor liver transplantation: duct-to-duct or Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy

Background

Duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction (DD) is currently a standard procedure in adult live donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Its pediatric feasibility, however, has rarely been reported. The goal of this study is to assess the incidence and treatment of biliary complication after pediatric LDLT with DD or Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy (RY).

Method

Sixty children received LDLT between November 2005 and June 2008, and their database was reviewed.

Results

Biliary reconstruction was achieved with DD in 14 patients and with RY in 46 patients with mean follow-up period of 26.0 and 22.3 months, respectively. The incidence of biliary leakage in the DD and RY groups was 7.1% and 8.7%, respectively, and that of stricture was 28.6% and 10.9%, respectively; but the differences were not statistically significant. Biliary stricture in the DD group tended to require revision surgery with RY and longer treatment with percutaneous transhepatic cholangiodrainage compared with that in the RY group.

Conclusion

Theoretical advantages of DD over RY were not confirmed in this study. Duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction tended to encounter more biliary complications, especially stricture, with more difficulty in treating it than RY. Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy seems preferable to DD in the setting of pediatric LDLT, but DD must be considered when making new Roux-en-Y limb seems impossible or troublesome owing to abdominal dense adhesion or short bowel syndrome.     

Duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction in adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation

In living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy has been a standard technique for biliary reconstruction because the majority had been pediatric patients with biliary atresia. Adult-to-adult LDLT using the right lobe graft has recently been developed and we introduced duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction (hepaticohepaticostomy) in such cases. The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of this procedure in adult-to-adult LDLT. From August 2000 to October 2001, five patients underwent adult-to-adult LDLT using the right hepatic lobe and were followed for more than 6 months at our institution. All patients underwent duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction (single hepaticohepaticostomy in one, multiple in four). For the grafts with multiple bile ducts, various techniques were used for reconstruction. In all patients, oral intake could be started early after the operation, and biliary leakage was not encountered. One patient developed two episodes of acute cholangitis who later developed biliary anastomosis stricture which required percutaneous dilatation at 11 months postop. However, otherwise, there were no infectious complications postoperatively. We conclude duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction is feasible and effective in adult-to-adult LDLT.     

肝移植围胆道重建环节技巧与细节对胆道并发症的影响研究

目的 探讨肝移植围胆道重建环节技巧与细节对胆道并发症的影响。方法 回顾性分析广州军区广州总医院2003年8月至2006年12月（A组,74例）和2007年1月至2010年3月（B组,131例）两个阶段共205例肝移植病人的临床资料,比较两组围胆道重建环节技巧与细节的差异,统计术后胆道并发症及预后情况。 结果 两组胆管重建方式和围手术期病死率差异均无统计学意义。B组除温缺血时间显著短于A组外,在供肝胆管灌洗、供肝动脉和供受体胆管血供保护、受体胆道下段探查、供受体胆管吻合张力等方面与A组不同。B组胆道并发症发生率为5.3%,显著低于A组（11.0%）。 结论 肝移植围胆道重建环节注意缩短温缺血时间并注重供肝胆管灌洗、供肝动脉和供受体胆管血供保护、受体胆管下端探查、胆管吻合微张力等技巧和细节,可显著降低胆道并发症发生率。     

Endoscopic biliary stenting: Plastic stent or expandable metallic stent?

Since its introduction 1979, endoscopic biliary stenting has become the method of first choice to treat cholestasis in malignant or benign biliary obstuction or leakage of biliary fistulas. The success rate of endoscopic biliary stenting generally exceeds 90% and procedure-related complications are rare. Although metal stents are becoming more popular, plastic stents are still the first choice. Their major drawback is occlusion with sludge mediated by bacteria. Pharmaco-chemical measures failed to prevent occlusion. With Teflon material and a 10-French stent, stent exchange rates were reduced to 15% in patients with malignant biliary obstruction, the shape without sideholes showing the best results. Stent exchange is easily feasable. Metal stents are expensive and more difficult to handle. Occlusion with sludge is rare, but patency is limited by tumor ingrowth. Metal stents may be indicated in selected patients, such as those with recurrent stent occlusion causing cholangitis. If only a small-caliber prosthesis (7-Fr) can be placed (e.g. in Klatskin tumor) metal stents may have a longer patency than plastic stents. Metal stents should not be used in benign biliary obstruction because these stents are not removable.     

胆道良性狭窄金属支架置入术后并发症及其处理

目的探讨金属支架置人治疗胆道良性狭窄的并发症。方法随访5例胆道良性狭窄应用金属支架治疗的病人，由于反复出现寒战发热，合并支架内结石形成，胆管阻塞，其中4例行手术取出支架。结果4例病人手术取出金属支架，术中见金属支架被胆泥堵塞，胆管壁黏膜破坏，支架取出困难；行胆肠吻合胆管内置管引流。2例病人因置人金属支架后反复胆管炎，胆汁性肝硬化，肝功衰竭死亡。结论金属支架不适合应用于良性胆道狭窄。     

Silent duodenocolic fistula secondary to biliary stent migration

Duodenocolic fistula is mostly caused by colonic malignancy. Other benign inflammatory causes include peptic ulcer, inflammatory bowel disease and cholecystitis. Iatrogenic causes are rare, and mostly related to operative injury to the duodenum or colon. In the era of endoscopic surgery, biliary stenting is increasingly used to treat benign and malignant biliary obstruction. We report a patient with duodenocolic fistula formation that was secondary to a migrating biliary stent. The patient was totally asymptomatic and the diagnosis was made incidentally by computed tomography of the abdomen. The fistula tract was finally resected after removal of the biliary stent.