Clinical outcome of internal stent for biliary anastomosis in liver transplantation

Background This study analyzed the incidence and management of biliary complications after liver transplantation (LT) with or without internal stent. Methods The medical record of all patients who underwent LT and were hospitalized from December 2009 to March 2013 were reviewed. Patients were grouped into 2 groups (internal stent group vs no stent group). Results There were 29 deceased-donor liver transplantations (58%) and 21 living-donor liver transplantations (42%). There were 2 perioperative mortalities, and those 2 patients were excluded from this study. The overall biliary complication rate was 6.45% in the internal stent group and 17.65% in the no stent group. The rate of anastomotic stricture was 3.23% (n = 1) in the stent group and 11.76% (n = 2) in the no stent group. The rate of bile leak was 3.23% (n = 1) in the stent group and 0% in the no stent group. The rate of biliary obstruction was 0% in the stent group and 5.88% (n = 1) in the no stent group. Conclusions The overall rate of biliary complications in the internal stent group was lower than in the no stent group, and most of the biliary complications could be treated successfully with endoscopic or radiologic intervention.