title: Surgical complications and long-term outcome of different biliary reconstructions in liver transplantation for primary sclerosing cholangitis-choledochoduodenostomy versus choledochojejunostomy.
abstract: Choledochojejunostomy (CJS) is commonly used for biliary reconstruction in liver transplantation for primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). We alternatively performed choledochoduodenostomy (CDS) and side-to-side choledochodocholedochstomy in a large cohort of patients. Fifty-one patients with PSC, transplanted between 1988 and 2000, were analyzed retrospectively. Biliary reconstruction was CDS in 25 (49%), CJS in 20 (39%) and CC in 6 transplantations (12%). Biliary leaks occurred in the early follow-up (< or =41 days) only in CDS patients (20%). However, in the late follow-up (>4 months), stricturing of anastomosis was found once in CDS (4%) and CJS (5%). Later (>9 months), intrahepatic bile duct strictures were diagnosed in four CDS (16%), one CJS (5%) and one CC (17%) patient(s). In 48% of CDS (12/25), 60% of CJS (12/20) and 17% of CC (1/6) at least one incidence of cholangitis was observed. Overall, biliary complication rates were significantly higher in CDS (40%) than CJS (10%) and CC (17%); of those none in CC and 12% in CDS were anastomosis-related. Graft/patient survival showed no significant differences among groups. Based on our results we consider CJS the standard method for biliary reconstruction in PSC; however, in selected cases where CJS is difficult to accomplish because of previous surgery or for retransplantation, CDS may present an alternative technique.
authors.affiliation: Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Charite, Campus Virchow, Augustenburger Platz 1, Berlin, Germany. volker.schmitz@charite.de
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Schmitz
authors.forename: U P
authors.initials: UP
authors.lastname: Neumann
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Puhl
authors.forename: Z V
authors.initials: ZV
authors.lastname: Tran
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Neuhaus
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Langrehr
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015209:Cholangitis, Sclerosing / Q000601:surgery*; D002768:Choledochostomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000145:classification*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome