Abstract
Biliary complications are important causes of early and late postoperative morbidity
and mortality after liver transplantation and are seen in 10 - 20 % of the patients.
The common biliary complications include bile leaks, stones or debris, and anastomotic
strictures. Less common complications are hilar strictures, intrahepatic strictures,
and papillary stenosis/dysfunction. The complications are similar in living-donor
and cadaveric liver transplantations, except for a higher incidence of bile leaks
among living-donor transplant recipients. The clinical presentation of post-liver
transplant bile duct complications is often subtle, and noninvasive imaging studies
may sometimes fail to detect mild but clinically significant stenoses or small leaks.
Early recognition and prompt treatment of biliary complications following liver transplantation
reduces the morbidity and improves long-term graft and patient survival. In this report,
we discuss the role of endoscopy in the diagnosis, treatment options, and the outcome
for patients with biliary complications following liver transplantation.
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P. J. Thuluvath, M.D., F.R.C.P.
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
1830 East Monument Street · Baltimore, MD 21205 · USA
Fax: +1-410-614-9612
Email: pjthuluv@jhmi.edu
