Biliary complications after a right-lobe living donor liver transplantation

Right-lobe living donor liver transplantation (RL-LDLT) has become an acceptable procedure for adult patients with end-stage liver disease in this decade. However, biliary complications in RL-LDLT remain a serious problem: the incidence of anastomotic biliary leakage and stricture after RL-LDLT is reported to be 4.7%–18.2% and 8.3%–31.7%, respectively. The incidence varies according to the type of biliary reconstructions between Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy and duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction. The anatomical biliary diversity of a right-lobe graft makes it difficult to reconstruct the biliary system. Indeed, most biliary strictures in patients with duct-to-duct reconstruction develop in multibranched fashion. In this regard, endoscopic biliary stenting appears to be efficacious for treating multibranched biliary strictures because multiple stenting permits the drainage of each segmental branch of the stricture. In this review, we describe various aspects of biliary complications occurring in RL-LDLT and their treatment.     

Biliary reconstruction and complications after living-donor liver transplantation

Background:

The technique of biliary reconstruction remains controversial in living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT). The objective of this study was to assess the incidence of biliary complications after LDLT based on the reconstruction technique.

Methods:

Between 1997 and 2007, 30 patients underwent LDLT. The type of allograft was the right lobe in 15, left lobe in 4 and left lateral sector in 11 patients. There were 18 adult and 12 paediatric recipients. The mean follow-up was 48 months (range 18–120 months). Biliary complications were defined as leak or stricture requiring intervention.

Results:

Biliary reconstruction was achieved with Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy (RYCJ) in 17 patients and duct-to-duct (DD) anastomosis in 13 patients. An external biliary stent was placed in all patients (except one) in the RYCJ group and reconstruction over a T-tube was done in 6 out of 13 patients in the DD Group. Twenty-five (83.3%) patients had one biliary anastomosis and the remaining five (16.7%) had multiple anastomoses (one in the RYCJ group and four in the DD group).The overall incidence of biliary complications was 30%.; 29.4% in the RYCJ group and 38.4% in the DD group (P= 0.6). Biliary complications occurred equally in patients with and without an external stent or T-tube stenting (12.5% vs. 18.8%). The incidence of biliary leakage was 23.5% for RYCJ and 15.3% for DD (P= 0.4). Although the incidence of biliary stricture was significantly higher in the DD (23.1%) compared with the RYCY group (5.9 %) (P < 0.01), all DDCC strictures were successfully managed endoscopically. Need for operative revision of biliary anastomoses was significantly higher in patients with RYCY compared with DD reconstruction; 17.7% vs. 7.7% (P < 0.01).

Conclusions:

Although there was a higher rate of biliary stricture formation in the DDCC group, we feel that because of physiological bilioenteric continuity, comparable incidence of leakage and easy endoscopic access, DD reconstruction is the preferred approach for biliary drainage in LDLT. After LDLT, the endoscopic approach has been shown to provide effective treatment of most biliary complications.     

Preliminary experience for reducing biliary complication in adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation using right lobe graft

Aim: To report the author's preliminary experience with adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) using right lobe liver grafts. Methods: From January 2002 to July 2006, 50 adult patients underwent LDLT using right lobe grafts at West China Hospital, Sichuan University Medical School, China. At present, 24 recipients have been followed up for over nine months. Results: There were no deaths amongst the donors. Biliary reconstruction for 35 hepatic duct orifices from 24 donor grafts was performed, which included 19 reconstructions of duct-to-duct anastomoses and 16 cholangio-jejunostomy. Two recipients had biliary complications including one bile leakage and one slight biliary stricture. Conclusion: With the improved methods for biliary reconstruction, we achieved good results in 24 recipients of adult-to-adult LDLT. We consider that microsurgical technique and fixed operator could decrease the biliary complications of LDLT.     

Biliary tract complications after liver transplantation

Biliary tract complications are an important source of morbidity after liver transplantation, and present a challenge to all involved in their care. With increasing options for transplantation, including living donor and split liver transplants, the complexity of these problems is increasing. However, diagnosis is greatly facilitated by modern noninvasive imaging techniques. A team approach, including transplant hepatology and surgery, interventional endoscopy and interventional radiology, results in effective solutions in most cases, such that operative reintervention or retransplantation is rarely required.     

Biliary complications in recipients of living-donor liver transplantation

The key points of the management of biliary complications in recipients of living-donor liver transplantation are described. The characteristics of these complications are somewhat different from those in deceased-donor liver transplantation, mainly due to the technical difficulties. Appropriate prevention, diagnosis, and treatment are essential for successful transplants, to avoid the development of secondary biliary cirrhosis when complication occurs.     

Problems in adult living donor liver transplantation using the right hepatic lobe

BACKGROUND: Adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is now widely applied to patients, children or adults, and the graft extends from the left hepatic lobe to the right hepatic lobe. Harvesting the right hepatic lobe would mean putting the donor at high risk. The congestion of a graft may cause small-for-size syndrome. The safety of the donor and its evaluation, which are related to the outcome for the recipient,play an important role in LDLT. How to decrease the congestion of the graft is another challenge to transplant experts. DATA SOURCES: A literature search from MEDLINE about adult LDLT in recent years was made to analyze the safety of the living donor and the innovation of surgical techniques for preventing small-for-size syndrome. RESULTS: The top priority for adult LDLT is donor safety. Preoperative donor evaluation consists of three stages: phase 1 for general evaluation, phase 2 for laboratory tests, and phase 3 for radiological evaluation of graft volume and vessel anatomy. The potential pathogenic mechanisms of small-for-size syndrome seem to be related to persistent portal hypertension and portal overperfusion. Improved surgical techniques for decreasing portal hypertension and preventing congestion of a graft may reduce the incidence of small-for-size syndrome. The improved techniques include reconstruction of the tributaries of the middle hepatic vein, end-to-side portocaval shunting, ligation of the splenic artery, dual-graft transplantation, and modified reconstruction of hepatic veins. CONCLUSION: With the careful preoperative assessment and the safety of the living donor, as well as improved surgical techniques, adult LDLT using the right lobe is safe.     

活体肝移植术后受体胆系并发症的影响因素及影像学表现

目的:探讨活体肝移植(LDLT)术后受体胆系并发症发生的影响因素及其影像学表现.方法:纳入2007-01/2011-03在我院接受活体肝移植的患者119例,回顾性分析其在术后随访的多层螺旋CT(MDCT)及MRI图像,重点观察胆道系统,观察有无各种胆系并发症,必要时结合各种后处理技术,包括多平面重建、最大密度投影等.将结果与其同期随访的临床及其他辅助检查对照,并探讨其发生原因.结果:119例患者术后1-18mo随访中,胆系并发症共计22例,发生率约18.5%.其中包括9例胆汁淤积、5例胆管炎、4例胆管狭窄和4例胆漏.各种并发症的主要发生时间不一致,发生的影响因素复杂.胆汁淤积、胆管炎及胆管狭窄在MDCT、MRI图像上可良好显示,并有各自的影像学特点,MRI价值大于MDCT.目前两种检查技术对胆漏的诊断价值有限.结论:LDLT术后胆系并发症发生的解剖生理复杂,影像学价值大,其中MRI优于MDCT.建议临床医生在LDLT受体术后随访时如怀疑有胆系并发症首选MRI检查.     

Biliary complications including single-donor mortality: experience of 207 adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantations with right liver grafts

Background:

After right lobe donation, biliary complication is the main cause of morbidity. Mortality after right lobe donation has been estimated to be less than 0.5%.

Patients and methods:

Between November 2001 and December 2008, 207 adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantations (ALDLT) were undertaken using right lobe grafts. Donors included 173 men and 34 women with a mean age of 28.4 ± 5.2 years.

Results:

Siblings comprised 144 (69.6%) cases whereas unrelated donors comprised 63 (30.4%) with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 25.2 ± 2.4. Single and multiple right hepatic ducts (RHD) were present in 82 (39.6%) and 125 (60.3%) donors, respectively. Mean operative time was 360 ± 50 min with an estimated blood loss of 950 ± 450 ml and returned cell-saver amount of 450 ± 334 ml. Mean donor remnant liver volume was 33.5 ± 3.2%. Mean intensive care unit (ICU) stay was 3 ± 0.7 days and mean hospital stay was 14 ± 3.5 days. Modified Clavien classifications were used to stratify all donor biliary complications The overall biliary complications occurred in 27 cases (13.0%). After modified Clavien classification, biliary complications were graded as grade I (n= 10), grade II (n= 2), grade III (n= 14) and grade V (n= 1). Grade I and II (n= 12) biliary complications were successfully managed conservatively. Grade III cases were treated using ultrasound-guided aspiration (USGA), endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERCP) and surgery in 10, 2 and 2 donors, respectively. Single donor mortality (Grade V) (0.4%) occurred after uncontrolled biliary leakage with peritonitis that necessitated exploration followed by ERCP with stent insertion but the donor died on day 43 as a result of ongoing sepsis.

Conclusion:

Although the majority of biliary complications are minor and can be managed conservatively, uncontrolled biliary leakage is a serious morbidity that should be avoided as it could lead to mortality.     

Technical aspects of biliary reconstruction in adult living donor liver transplantation

BACKGROUND: The last decade has witnessed great progress in living donor liver transplantation worldwide. However, biliary complications are more common in partial liver transplantation than in whole liver transplantation. This is due to an impaired blood supply of the hilar bile duct during organ procurement and recipient surgery, commonly encountered anatomical variations, a relatively small graft duct, and complicated surgical techniques used in biliary reconstruction. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE and PubMed we...     

Risks faced by donors of right lobe for living donor liver transplantation

BACKGROUND:Because of the shortage of deceased donors with livers fit for transplantation,living donor liver transplantation(LDLT)is becoming an attractive alternative.Attention should be paid to the donors,especially to those of the right lobe.In this study,we evaluated the risks faced by donors of the right lobe for adult-to-adult LDLT.METHODS:The perioperative data from 105 consecutive living donors of the right lobe performed in West China Hospital from January 2002 to December 2007 were retrospectively...     

Biliary complications in liver transplantation

Biliary complications of living donor liver transplantation remain common. The complications of biliary leakage and stricture result in substantial recipient morbidity. A major focus of liver transplantation research is the prevention and reduction of these complications through identification of the multiple factors that are conducive to them. Such factors include the donor bile duct anatomy and quality, and the techniques of donor hepatectomy, recipient hepatectomy, and ductal reconstruction. A low threshold for re-exploration for possible bile leakage prevents development of uncontrolled sepsis. Return of good graft function can usually be expected after successful early endoscopic treatment. Contingent measures of percutaneous transhepatic dilatation and stenting, and revision hepaticojejunostomy have to be exercised with utmost care to avoid hepatic artery injury which may results in graft loss.     

Is biliary bile acid a good predictor for acute cellular rejection in living donor liver transplantation?

BACKGROUND:In liver transplantation,acute cellular rejection(ACR)is still a major complication that can lead to mortality.Bile secretion has been considered as a marker of early graft function. METHODS:The study included 41 adults who received living donor liver transplantation(LDLT)at Kyoto University Hospital between April 2007 and February 2008. The patients were stratified according to the presence or absence of ACR.Bile samples were collected from donors once and from recipients every other day for the...     

Diaphragmatic hernia after right donor and hepatectomy: a rare donor complication of partial hepatectomy for transplantation

BACKGROUND: Because of the critical worldwide shortage of cadaveric organ donors, transplant professionals have increasingly turned to living donors. Partial hepatectomy for adult living donor liver transplantation has been performed since the late 1990s. Most often,the complications of living donor hepatectomy have been related to the biliary tract, specifically biliary leaks. METHODS: A 54-year-old man underwent donor right hepatectomy for living donor liver transplantation. Three years after liver donation he presented with upper abdominal pain and fullness. Radiographic workup revealed a diaphragmatic hernia of the right hemithorax. RESULTS: After thoracoscopic evaluation of the right hemithorax, diaphragmatic hernia was repaired. Currently the patient remains well several months after the repair with complete resolution of abdominal pain, normal chest X-ray examination demonstrating no recurrence of diaphragmatic hernia, and normal liver functions tests. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple complications of living donor liver transplantation have been described the transplant literature. Diaphragmatic hernia is a formerly-undescribed complication of right donor hepatectomy for transplantation.     

Vascular complications after adult living donor liver transplantation:Evaluation with ultrasonography

Living donor liver transplantation(LDLT) has beenwidely used to treat end-stage liver disease with improvement in surgical technology and the application of new immunosuppressants. Vascular complications after liver transplantation remain a major threat to the survival of recipients. LDLT recipients are more likely to develop vascular complications because of their complex vascular reconstruction and the slender vessels. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical for the survival of graft and recipients. As a non-invasive, cost-effective and non-radioactive method with bedside availability, conventional gray-scale and Doppler ultrasonography play important roles in identifying vascular complications in the early postoperative period and during the follow-up. Recently, with the detailed vascular tracing and perfusion visualization, contrastenhanced ultrasound(CEUS) has significantly improved the diagnosis of postoperative vascular complications. This review focuses on the role of conventional grayscale ultrasound, Doppler ultrasound and CEUS for early diagnosis of vascular complications after adult LDLT.     

Simplifying living donor liver transplantation

BACKGROUND:Living donor liver transplantation is a complex surgical operation.Treatment policies and operative techniques evolved in the last two decades.DATA SOURCES:Our center's experience in living donor liver transplantation was reviewed in conjunction with relevant publications in the literature.RESULTS:The surgical techniques and perioperative surgical therapeutics could be modified towards simplicity.Examples include regular inclusion of the middle hepatic vein without compromising the venous outflow...     

Adult living donor versus deceased donor liver transplantation: A 10-year prospective single center experience

It has been 4 years since the first, long-term (> 3 years) prospective comparison of adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation (A2ALLTx) to adult deceased donor liver transplantation (ADDLTx) was reported.¹ In this follow up, prospective, IRB approved, 10-year comparison of A2ALLTx to ADDLTx we expand on our initial observations. This data includes: age, gender, ethnicity, primary liver disease, waiting time, pretrans-plant CTP/MELD score, cold ischemia time (CIT), perioperative mortality, acute and chronic rejection, graft and patient survival, charges and post-transplant complications.In 10 years, 465 ADDLTx (81.37) and 107 A2ALLTx (18.7%) were performed at VCUHS. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) was the most common reason for transplantation in both groups (54.5% vs. 48.2%). Data regarding overall patient and graft survival and retransplantation rates were similar. Comparison of patient/graft survivals, retransplantation rates in patients with and without HCV were not statistically different. A2ALLTx patients had less acute rejection (9.6% vs. 21.7%) and more biliary complications (27.1% vs. 17.6%).In conclusion, A2ALLTx is as durable a liver replacement technique as the ADDLTx. Patients with A2ALLTx were younger, had lower MELD scores, less acute rejection and similar histological HCV recurrence. Biliary complications were more common in A2ALLTx but were not associated with increased graft loss compared to ADDLTx.     

Biliary complications in right lobe living donor liver transplantation

Living donor liver transplantation is an alternative to deceased donor liver transplantation in the face of insufficient deceased donor liver grafts. Unfortunately, the incidence of biliary complication after living donor liver transplantation is significantly higher than that after deceased donor liver transplantation using grafts from non-cardiac-death donations. The two most common biliary complications after living donor liver transplantation are bile leakage and biliary anastomotic stricture. Early treatment with endoscopic and interventional radiological approaches can achieve satisfactory outcomes. If treatment with these approaches fails, the salvage measure for prompt rectification will be surgical revision, which is now seldom performed. This paper also discusses risk factors in donor biliary anatomy that can affect recipients.