Safety and Efficacy of Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography in Patients with Post-Liver Transplant Biliary Complications: Results of a Cohort Study with Long-Term Follow-Up

• Published in: Gut and liver Vol. 5; no. 3; pp. 328 - 334
• Main Authors: Claudia Sanna, Chiara Giordanino, Ilaria Giono, Claudio Barletti, Arnaldo Ferrari, Serafino Recchia, Dario Reggio, Alessandro Repici, Alessandro Ricchiuti, Mauro Salizzoni, Ileana Baldi, Giovannino
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Korean
• Published: 대한소화기학회 30-09-2011
• Subjects: Biliary complications; Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography; Liver transplant; Pancreatitis
• ISSN: 1976-2283

Background/Aims: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is the standard approach for the management of biliary complications in liver transplant patients; however, its safety and efficacy have not been established in this setting. This study was performed to evaluate the safety and long-term efficacy of ERCP in transplant patients. Methods: The case reports of 1,500 liver transplant patients were reviewed. Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) patients were matched 1:2 with non-OLT patients and followed-up for long-term outcome (median, 7.4 years). Results: Of the 1,500 liver transplant patients, 94 (6.3%) underwent 150 ERCPs after OLT. Anastomotic strictures were present in 45 patients, biliary stones in 24, biliary leaks in 7, papillary stenosis in 2, and primary sclerosing cholangitis in 1. An ERCP success rate of 90.7% was achieved; biliary stenting led to resolution of the bile leak in 7/7 (100%) patients, and biliary stones were removed in 21/24 (87.5%) patients. In addition, 34 of 45 patients with anastomotic stricture underwent endoscopic dilation. We obtained complete resolution in 22/34 (64.7%) patients. OLT patients did not show a higher probability of complications (odds ratio [OR], 1.04), of pancreatitis (OR, 0.80) or of bleeding (OR, 1.34). Conclusions: ERCP is safe and effective for the treatment of post-OLT biliary complications, has a low rate of pancreatitis and results in a durable effect. (Gut Liver 2011;5:328-334)