Retrospective evelaluation of the ercp results of biliary complications after living liver transplantation patients

Aim: Biliary complications are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in liver transplantation patients. Although endoscopic treatment modalities have been widely used in this setting, efficiency of these techniques has not yet been established, especially after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). We aimed to present endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) results in patients with biliary complications after LDLT. Materials and methods: Between March 2002 and August 2012, a total of 654 patients underwent LDLT at medical center were retrospectively evaluated. We investigated the results of patients with biliary complications for type of biliary complication and ERCP treatment procedures. Results: ERCP was performed in 138 (21.1%) of 654 patients. Common bile duct cannulation were not achieved in 12 (8.6%) patients and referred to percutanous procedures. Stricture was observed in 80 (63.5%), leak in 22 (17.5%), stone 3 (2.4%) . All strictures were anastomotic. In 28 patients (22.2%), anastomotic stricture was not passed. We inserted plastic stent in 64 patients (50.8%). In 38 patients (30.1%) bougie dilation and in one patient (0.8%) balloon dilation were performed only sphincterotomy. In 6 patients (4.7%), we inserted nasobiliary catheter. Biliary stones were removed with stone extraction balloon in 13 patients (10.3%). As result, ERCP-based treatments were successfully performed in 98 (71.0%) of 138 patients. Conclusion: Biliary complications are common after LDLT and endoscopic interventions are effective for treatment of these complications.