Surgical outcome and proposed strategy for biliary stricture after living donor liver transplantation: a single center analysis.

Abstract

To clarify the surgical outcome and propose an appropriate strategy for biliary stricture (BS) treatment after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Among 53 patients who underwent LDLT at our institute, 45 patients had duct-to-duct anastomosis. Of these, 33 who survived for at least 12 months after LDLT comprised the study group. Clinical parameters, BS treatment outcomes, and predictive factors for long-term patency were investigated. Eleven patients developed BS. Biliary leakage occurred significantly more frequently, and the number of external biliary tubes was significantly lower than the number of graft bile-duct openings, in the BS group compared with the non-BS group (p=0.001 and 0.004). Multivariate analysis showed that the number of external biliary tubes was the only risk factor. Long-term patency was achieved in two patients in whom stents were retained for more than 20 months, which was significantly longer than in other patients (p=0.01). Identical stent-retention for more than 6 months was a risk factor for cholangitis. The number of external biliary tubes should match the number of graft bile-duct openings. When BS occurs, the duration of stent retention should be more than 20 months, and stents should be exchanged at least every 6 months.