Preliminary study of choledochocholedochostomy without T tube in liver transplantation: a comparative study.
BACKGROUND
Biliary anastomosis during liver transplantation can be safely performed using an end-to-end choledochocholedochostomy, with or without a T tube. The objective of this study was to determine whether the insertion of a T tube was related to more postoperative complications.


METHODS
Between April 1986 and September 2004, we performed a retrospective, longitudinal, and comparative study of 1012 liver transplantations, including 50 adult recipients with a T tube and a control group with a choledochocholedochostomy without a T tube.


RESULTS
T tube insertion was associated with more postoperative complications and worse actuarial survival of both the recipient and graft, though these differences did not reach statistical significance.


CONCLUSIONS
The duct-to-duct biliary anastomosis stented with a T tube tends to be associated with more postoperative complications. Based on this analysis, we recommend the performance of a nonstented anastomosis.
Elola-Olaso
A Moreno
AM
Servicio de Cirugía General, Aparato Digestivo y Trasplante de Organos Abdominales, Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain.
Diaz
J C Meneu
JC
Gonzalez
E Moreno
EM
García Garcia
I
I
Domene
P Ortega
PO
Olivares
S
S
Sanz
R Gómez
RG
Suarez
Y Fundora
YF
Calvo
J
J
D001660:Biliary Tract Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D001662:Biliary Tract Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D002761:Cholangitis / Q000209:etiology; D002768:Choledochostomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007582:Jejunostomy; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000209:etiology