title: The spectrum of bile duct complications in pediatric liver transplantation.
abstract: It has been noted that reduced-size liver transplants are associated with increased rates of biliary complications, and it has been suggested that some of these complications can be handled nonoperatively. In a 6-year period, 91 orthotopic liver transplants were performed in 77 children. The medical records were reviewed to analyze the effect of reduced-size grafts on the incidence of bile duct complications and to investigate the utility of interventional radiology techniques for treatment. Forty-two children received 47 whole-organ transplants, and 35 children received 44 reduced-size transplants. The median age and weight were greater for children receiving whole-organ transplants (age, 4.25 years; weight, 16 kg) than for those receiving reduced-size grafts (age, 1.0 year; weight, 8 kg). The overall incidence of bile duct complications was 19.5% (n = 15). The incidence was not different between the whole organ group (17%) and the reduced-size group (16%). Four of the children with bile duct complications had associated hepatic artery thrombosis, two of whom had another transplant. Complications included anastomotic stricture (n = 6), anastomotic leak (n = 5), intraparenchymal biloma (n = 3), and multiple strictures (n = 1). Twelve of 15 children presented within 3 months of transplantation. Six children had initial percutaneous drainage or placement of transanastomotic stents (external). Operative repair was eventually required for all 15 children, three of whom received a second transplant. There was a 40% incidence of cytomegalovirus infection involving the liver or extrahepatic bile ducts near the time of presentation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, OH 45229.
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Peclet
authors.forename: F C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Ryckman
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Pedersen
authors.forename: V S
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Dittrich
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Heubi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Farrell
authors.forename: W F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Balistreri
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Ziegler
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001649:Bile Duct Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed