Reconstruction of Separated Intrahepatic Ducts Using the Cystic and Common Hepatic Ducts in Right-Lobe Living-Donor Liver Transplantation: Experiences of Surgical Techniques, Biliary Complications, and Outcomes in a Single Institution

BACKGROUND: Duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction has been increasingly used in living-donor liver transplantation. Information regarding dual duct-to-duct biliary anastomoses is limited. We present the largest case series to date on the use of the cystic and common hepatic ducts as dual-ductal anastomosis, along with long-term follow-up results. MATERIAL/METHODS: In this study, 740 patients underwent right-lobe living-donor liver transplantation; 56 of them were documented as dual-ductal anastomoses. We analyzed recipient and donor characteristics, surgical procedures, appearance of biliary complications, corresponding interventions, and long-term biliary outcomes. RESULTS: Cystic and common hepatic ducts were utilized in 56 cases of dual-ductal biliary reconstruction, which we categorized into 2 types: A (78.6%), in which the right anterior intrahepatic duct was anastomosed to the common hepatic duct and the right posterior intrahepatic duct to the cystic duct; and B (21.4%), which was the reverse of A. After a median follow-up period of 46.4 months, 23 patients (41.1%) experienced complications, including biliary leakage and biliary stricture. However, after aggressive intervention (patent biliary anastomosis in most of them), 50 of 56 patients (89.3%) had patent biliary anastomosis and restored normal liver function at the end of follow-up. A small graft (graft-to-recipient weight ratio <0.9%) was the only predictor of biliary complications after multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Dual-ductal biliary reconstruction in adult right-lobe living-donor liver transplantation is challenging but feasible. Our findings support the use of the cystic duct for reconstruction in selected patients. Good long-term results can be achieved with adequate management of patients with biliary complications.