Early regular examination of biliary strictures by endoscopic retrograde cholangiography for duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction after adult living donor liver transplantation.

In September 2006, we initiated regular screening of biliary strictures (BS) by endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) within 6 months after removal of external stents among duct-to-duct biliary reconstructed adult living donor liver transplantations (LDLT). From March 2000 to January 2008, we retrospectively evaluated 45 primary adult LDLTs who had survived >1 month. We separated the cases into 2 groups-the early cases (March 2000 to August 2006: n = 34) and the late cases (September 2006 to January 2008: n = 11)-to compare the incidences of BS and the success rates of endoscopic treatments. Median follow-up of the late cases (8.0 months) was shorter than that of the early cases (38.5 months; P = .0003). The overall incidence of BS was 36% (16/45), with 32% (11/34) among the early and 45% (5/11) among the late cases (P = .18). BS was successfully treated by endoscopic management in 4/5 (80%) late cases and 3/11 (27%) early cases (P = .049). Two early patients required operative biliary reconstructions. Endoscopic procedure-related complications developed in 2 patients among the early cases. Early postoperative regular screening of BS by ERC for duct-to-duct biliary reconstructions may be effective to avoid surgical interventions after adult LDLT. However, repeat ERCs have a risk for pancreatitis and other complications. Further investigations and longer follow-up are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of a regular examination by ERC for duct-to-duct biliary reconstructions in LDLT.