Selective Indication of T-Tube in Liver Transplantation: Prospective Validation of the Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background and Aims

T-tube placement during choledochocholedochostomy (CCS) associated with liver transplantation (LT) remains controversial. This study was designed to validate the results of an earlier prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT) on use versus nonuse of the T-tube during CCS associated with LT.

Methods

Prospective cohort study. The primary outcome was the overall incidence of biliary complications (BCs).

Results

In total, 405 patients were included, and the median overall monitoring period was 29 months (interquartile range: 13–47 months). Selective use of the T-tube reduced BCs (23% vs 13%; P = .003), of which 75% were type IIIa or less in the Clavien-Dindo classification. The overall BC rate did not differ between patients with versus without T-tube placement.

Conclusions

We confirmed that selective use of a rubber T-tube during CCS associated with LT, following the principles established in our prospective RCT, reduced the rate of BC by 10% without detriment, even after enrolling patients at an a priori greater risk of BCs than were the RCT patients.