title: Efficacy of cutting balloon for anastomotic stricture of the hepatic vein.
abstract: Anastomotic stricture of the hepatic vein is an annoying complication, especially in living donor liver transplantation. Balloon dilation has been utilized but is sometimes associated with recurrences. Recently, a cutting balloon was invented for treatment of arteriosclerosis. Herein we report the results of application of this device for treatment of anastomotic strictures of the hepatic vein in two living donor liver transplant recipients who underwent percutaneous dilation of the hepatic vein with a cutting balloon (8 x 10 mm, Atherotome, Boston Scientific). Case 1, a 26-year-old woman transplanted for subacute fulminant hepatitis, had been treated for an anastomotic stricture by balloon dilation on 15 occasions over a 2- to 3-month interval. Case 2, a 13-year-old boy transplanted for cryptogenic liver cirrhosis, had been treated for an anastomotic stricture by balloon dilation biannually. The cutting balloon was applied safely without severe complications. The first case showed a recurrent anastomotic stricture at 6 months after dilation. Follow-up at 6 months in the second case revealed a mild recurrence of the stricture. Anastomotic stricture of the hepatic vein jeopardizes the graft and the recipient. The reported treatments involve venoplastic surgery and expandable metallic stents. Application of a cutting balloon seemed to be a safe, convenient modality. However, its effect was not indefinite, so a cutting balloon of greater diameter or application of an expandable metallic stent may be considered for patients with multiple recurrences of their anastomotic stricture.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Hirosaki University, Japan.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Narumi
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hakamada
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Totsuka
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Toyoki
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Umehara
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ono
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nishimura
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yoshihara
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sasaki
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006503:Hepatic Veins / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome