Pancreatic fistula without pancreatitis after endoscopic biliary stent placement for bile leak after orthotopic liver transplantation

Abstract

Biliary tract complications are common after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), with an incidence of 9% to 34%.1-4 Biliary strictures and bile leaks are the most common complications; bile peritonitis may occur after 3% to 23% of all OLTs.1,2 Although there is no consensus on optimal management,5 bile leaks may be treated endoscopically by sphincterotomy6 or placement of nasobiliary catheters7 or stents.8 Endoscopic biliary stent placement can be performed with or without endoscopic sphincterotomy and generally has a low complication rate.