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Liver and Biliary Disease

Endoscopic treatment of anastomotic biliary complications after liver transplantation using removable, covered, self-expandable metallic stents

, , , , &
Pages 116-121 | Received 29 Aug 2011, Accepted 06 Nov 2011, Published online: 08 Dec 2011
 

Abstract

Objective. Anastomotic bile duct complications after liver transplantation (LT) have been treated endoscopically by dilation and plastic tube stenting, with the stent therapy having moved toward using covered, self-expandable metallic stents (cSEMS) in recent years. The aim of this study was to analyze therapy outcome of post-LT anastomotic complications using cSEMS. Material and methods. Seventeen post-LT patients had 29 cSEMS (Allium stent, n = 23; Wallstent®, n = 4; Micro-Tech, n = 2) placed during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The fully covered stents (Allium, Micro-Tech) were placed entirely inside the common bile duct. Data were collected and analyzed in a retrospective manner. Results. These 17 patients had 19 stent treatment periods. Resolution was eventually established in all patients. There were four (14%) stent migrations. Pancreatitis was seen after one ERCP procedure, whereas five cases of cholangitis were seen. Conclusion. Treatment of post-LT anastomotic complications with cSEMS seems to be both safe and efficient. Further assessment regarding indications, stent types and stenting time is needed.

Declaration of interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest or financial ties to disclose.

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