Routine use of a transanastomotic stent is unnecessary for hepatojejunostomy in liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND

The use of transanastomotic stents for Roux-en-Y hepatojejunostomy (RYHJ) in liver transplantation (LT) remains controversial. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the role of transanastomotic stent for RYHJ in LT.

METHODS

RYHJ for biliary reconstruction in LT was performed in 52 patients. Twenty-five patients had bile duct reconstruction by RYHJ with transanastomotic stents (S group), while 27 patients underwent the same procedure without transanastomotic stents (non-S group). The two groups were compared in terms of post-LT biliary complications and survival.

RESULTS

The incidences of bile leakage, anastomotic stricture, non-anastomotic stricture, biliary sludge/lithiasis and biliary infection were 12% (3/25), 9.5% (2/21), 23.5% (4/17), 11.8% (2/17), and 24% (6/25), respectively in the S group, and 0, 0, 20.0% (5/25), 10.0% (2/20), and 16.7% (4/24), respectively in the non-S group. One and three year survival rates were 48.0% (12/25) and 34.0% (8/23), respectively, in the S group and 57.7% (15/26) and 38.9% (7/18), respectively, in the non-S group. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the incidence of various biliary complications and survival (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The routine use of transanastomotic stents is not necessary for RYHJ for biliary reconstruction in LT.