Clinical outcome of progressive stenting in patients with anastomotic strictures after orthotopic liver transplantation

Background and study aims: Anastomotic strictures are an important cause of morbidity after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Endoscopic treatment is the primary treatment modality for biliary complications after OLT. The outcome and complications of a progressive stenting protocol are largely unknown. Patients and methods: A longitudinal cohort study of OLTs was conducted. Only patients with late strictures were included. Treatment success was defined as cholangiographic stricture resolution and liver enzymes returning to normal with follow-up of at least 12 months. Results: Between May 2000 and June 2009, 375 OLTs were performed. A duct-to-duct anastomosis was created in 304 cases (81 %). In 63 patients (21 %; 95 % confidence interval [CI] 16.5 % - 25.6 %) an anastomotic stricture developed and progressive stenting was started in 35. During treatment two patients died of a non-treatment-related cause and two patients underwent a second OLT during stent therapy. Therefore 31 patients were available for analysis (male: female 21:10; median age 61 years, range 28 - 75 years). Progressive stenting required a median number of 5 endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedures (range 4 - 11). A median maximum of 4 stents (range 2 - 8) were inserted. A total of 21 patients (67.7 %; 95 %CI 50.1 % - 81.4 %) developed a treatment-related complication. In 33 out of a total of 155 ERCPs (21.3 %) a complication occurred: cholangitis (n = 12), transient cholestasis (n = 11), post-ERCP pancreatitis (n = 7), and treatment-related pain (n = 3). The median follow-up time after stent removal was 28 months (range 12 - 92). Treatment was successful in 25 patients (80.6 %; 95 %CI 63.7 % - 90.8 %). Conclusion: Progressive stenting for anastomotic strictures after OLT is demanding and burdensome, necessitating a median of 5 ERCP procedures with complications occurring in one out of five procedures. Its success rate however is high (81 %), avoiding surgery in the large majority of patients.