BILIARY COMPLICATIONS AFTER LIVER TRANSPLANTATION

• Published in: Arquivos brasileiros de cirurgia digestiva : ABCD 2017-04, Vol.30 (2), p.127-131
• Main Authors: COELHO, Júlio Cezar Uili, LEITE, Lucas de Oliveira, MOLENA, Antonio, FREITAS, Alexandre Coutinho Teixeira de, MATIAS, Jorge Eduardo Fouto
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biliary complications; Biliary fistula; Biliary stenosis; Hepatic transplantation; Original; Postoperative complications
• ISSN: 0102-6720; 0102-6720; 2317-6326
• DOI: 10.1590/0102-6720201700020011

ABSTRACT Background: Biliary reconstitution has been considered the Achilles’s heel of liver transplantations due to its high rate of postoperative complications. Aim: To evaluate the risk factors for occurrence of biliary strictures and leakages, and the most efficient methods for their treatment. Method: Of 310 patients who underwent liver transplantation between 2001 and 2015, 182 medical records were retrospectively analyzed. Evaluated factors included demographic profile, type of transplantation and biliary reconstitution, presence of vascular and biliary complications, their treatment and results. Results: 153 (84.07%) deceased donor and 29 (15.93%) living donor transplantations were performed. Biliary complications occurred in 49 patients (26.92%): 28 strictures (15.38%), 14 leakages (7.7%) and seven leakages followed by strictures (3.85%). Hepatic artery thrombosis was present in 10 patients with biliary complications (20.4%; p=0,003). Percutaneous and endoscopic interventional procedures (including balloon dilation and stent insertion) were the treatment of choice for biliary complications. In case of radiological or endoscopic treatment failure, surgical intervention was performed (biliodigestive derivation or retransplantation (32.65%). Complications occurred in 25% of patients treated with endoscopic or percutaneous procedures and in 42.86% of patients reoperated. Success was achieved in 45% of patients who underwent endoscopic or percutaneous procedures and in 61.9% of those who underwent surgery. Conclusion: Biliary complications are frequent events after liver transplantation. They often require new interventions: endoscopic and percutaneous procedures at first and surgical treatment when needed. Hepatic artery thrombosis increases the number of biliary complications. RESUMO Racional: A reconstituição biliar é considerada o calcanhar-de-Aquiles do transplante hepático devido à sua elevada taxa de complicações pós-operatórias. Objetivo: Analisar os fatores de risco para ocorrência de estenoses e fístulas biliares e os métodos terapêuticos mais eficientes para seu tratamento. Método: De 310 pacientes transplantados entre 2001 e 2015, 182 prontuários foram analisados retrospectivamente. Foram avaliados o perfil demográfico dos pacientes, tipo de transplante e reconstituição biliar, presença de complicações biliares e vasculares, tratamento utilizado e seus resultados. Resultados: Foram realizados 153 (84,07%) transplantes hepáticos cadavéricos