Endoscopic Treatment of Anastomotic Biliary Stenosis in Patients With Orthotopic Liver Transplantation

The choledocho-choledochostomy stricture is one of the most frequent complications occurring after liver transplantation. Today endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography may be considered one of the most common methodologic approaches for the diagnosis; at the same time it provides an effective treatment of the stenosis, avoiding more invasive surgery. Biliary flow through a strictured anastomosis definitely improves after endoscopic stenting which, in most cases, resolves the biliary obstruction syndrome; moreover, the stent could allow restoration of the anatomical and functional integrity of the common bile duct. We have successfully treated eight liver transplanted patients with biliary anastomotic stenosis by endoscopic stenting of the common bile duct or by balloon dilation (one patient). The stents were replaced every 3 to 4 months and then removed after 1 year of follow-up. We observed one patient with acute cholangitis due to the clogging of the prosthetic device.