Late surgical complications following liver transplantation

Abstract

1. Biliary strictures and incisional hernias are the most common surgical complications encountered late after liver transplantation. 2. Anastomotic biliary strictures are amenable to endoscopic intervention and rarely need surgical intervention. 3. The presence of a biliary stricture mandates an evaluation of the patency of the hepatic artery. 4. Ischemic-type intrahepatic strictures are common indications for retransplantation.5. Recipients of living related liver transplantation and donation after cardiac death allografts are at the highest risk for biliary and vascular complications late after transplantation.