J Korean Soc Radiol.  2013 Apr;68(4):305-313. 10.3348/jksr.2013.68.4.305.

Percutaneous Balloon Dilatation and Catheter Maintenance Method in the Patients with Biliary Strictures after Living Donor Liver Transplantation

• Park DH
• Byun SS
• Kim JH
• Kim KK
• Hwang HY
• Kim HS
• Choi HY
• Park JH

• KMID: 1425146
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jksr.2013.68.4.305

Abstract

PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of the percutaneous balloon dilatation and catheter maintenance (BDCM) method for postoperative biliary strictures following living donor liver transplantation (LDLT).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Eighteen patients (14 duct-to-duct anastomosis and 4 hepaticojejunostomy) with post-LDLT biliary stricture were treated by the percutaneous BDCM method. A good response was defined as residual stricture over 3.5 mm after repetitive BDCM and refractory response as residual stricture below 3.5 mm. If they demonstrated good results on follow-up studies after catheter withdrawal, all the patients quit the therapy. We evaluated the technical and clinical success rates, major complication rate, mean total procedure time and mean follow-up duration.
RESULTS
The percutaneous BDCM method was technically successful without major complication. Nine patients improved biliary stricture (good response, mean 5.5 mm), and the other 9 patients showed residual stricture with the diameter below 3.5 mm (refractory response, mean 2.5 mm). However, all the patients were improved clinically without significant complication. The total procedure time was 1-15 months (mean 7.3 months) and follow-up duration was 6-54 months (mean 24 months).
CONCLUSION
The percutaneous BDCM method for post-LDLT biliary strictures was an effective therapy even in the patients showing a refractory response. It seemed that total procedure time could be reduced if the response was determined earlier.

MeSH Terms

Catheters
Constriction, Pathologic
Dilatation
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Liver
Liver Transplantation
Living Donors

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