Is microsurgical technique useful in biliary reconstruction of living donor liver transplantation?

INTRODUCTION

Biliary reconstruction remains the "Achilles' heel" of living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). In the last decades, the technical aspects of biliary reconstruction have been debated for their impact on biliary complications in LDLT. A microsurgical technique in biliary reconstruction is more attractive.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From December 2010 to June 2011, 15 primary LDLTs underwent duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction using a microscopic technique. External stents were inserted in all patients. All procedures were performed under a microscope by a single transplant microsurgeon.

RESULTS

The time consumed for bile duct reconstruction using the microscopic technique was 35 minutes. There were 8 grafts with a single bile duct orifice and seven with two orifices. The average duct size was 3 mm in patients with two orifices and 5 mm in those with a single orifice. There was no bile leak or biliary stricture associated with the biliary reconstruction over a median 5-month follow-up. There were two cases of bile leakage from the cut hepatic surface.

CONCLUSION

The microscopic technique reduced early biliary complications. However, further technical advances are needed to decrease the time consumptions for the procedure.