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

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

Scand J Gastroenterol. 2012 Jan;47(1):116-21

Authors: Haapam�ki C, Udd M, Halttunen J, Lindstr�m O, M�kisalo H, Kyl�np�� L

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.

PMID: 22150121 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=22150121&dopt=Abstract

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