Extraluminal Recanalization for Biliary Duct-to-Duct Anastomotic Obstruction After Living Donor Liver Transplantation: Experience in Eight Patients.

PURPOSE

To investigate clinical outcomes and safety of extraluminal recanalization for duct-to-duct anastomotic obstruction after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Extraluminal recanalization was performed as a salvage procedure after failure of intraluminal cannulation in eight patients who underwent percutaneous transhepatic treatment of duct-to-duct anastomotic obstruction 11.0 ± 5.27 months after LDLT between October 2012 and April 2019. Technical details, safety, and outcomes of extraluminal recanalization were investigated.

RESULTS

Total ten sessions of extraluminal recanalization were performed in the eight patients with the stiff backend of a 0.035 inch hydrophilic guide wire, 22-gauge Chiba needle, or Colapinto needle. Percutaneous common bile duct access was performed in three sessions to obtain a straight course for the puncture. There was one instance of subcapsular and intraparenchymal hematoma requiring placement of an additional drainage catheter and conservative treatment. During a follow-up period ranging from 18.4 to 100.7 months, the drainage catheter was removed in seven of the eight patients, including three patients who had recurrent stricture requiring repeat percutaneous treatment and one who underwent a routine change of an endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage catheter.

CONCLUSIONS

Extraluminal recanalization can be an effective and safe salvage procedure after failed intraluminal cannulation of duct-to-duct anastomotic obstruction in LDLT.