title: Biliary reconstruction using a side-to-side choledochocholedochostomy with or without T-tube in deceased donor liver transplantation: a prospective randomized trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The biliary anastomosis is still one of the major causes for morbidity after orthotopic liver transplantation. The optimal method of reconstruction remains controversial. The aim of the study was to assess biliary complications after liver transplantation using a choledochocholedochostomy with or without a temporary T-tube.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Several reports have suggested that biliary reconstruction without T-tube is a safer method with a lower rate of biliary complications compared with T-tube insertion.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 194 recipients of deceased donor liver grafts were randomized. In group 1 the biliary reconstruction was performed by side-to-side choledochocholedochostomy with (n = 99) and in group 2 (n = 95) without a T-tube. The T-tube was removed after 6 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall biliary complication rate was significantly increased in group 2 (P < 0.0005). Biliary leaks occurred in 5 patients in group 1 and in 9 patients in group 2 (5.05% vs. 9.47%; P = 0.2756 ns). Anastomotic strictures of the bile duct were seen in 7 patients in group 1 and in 8 patients in group 2 (7.07% vs. 8.42%; P = 0.7923 ns). Two of the patients in group 1 and 5 patients in group 2 developed an ischemic type biliary lesion (2.02% vs. 5.26%; P = 0.2716 ns). The rate of reoperations was comparable in both groups. The rate of invasive interventions was higher in the group without T-tubes (9% vs. 18%, P = ns), as was the rate of cholangitis (5% vs. 11%. P = ns) and pancreatitis (4% vs. 14%, P = 0.0218). No complications after removal of the T-tube were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study is a large prospective randomized trial to assess biliary complications that occur following liver transplantation, after anatomizing the bile duct with or without T-tubes. A significant increased rate of complications in the group without T-tube insertion was observed. In summary, our results indicate that the usage of T-tubes is safe and an excellent tool for the quality control of biliary anastomoses.
authors.affiliation: Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Charité, Campus Virchow Clinical Center, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Sascha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.forename: Sven-Ch
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ulrich
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pascher
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schumacher
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stockmann
authors.forename: Gero
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Puhl
authors.forename: Olaf
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Guckelberger
authors.forename: Ulf P
authors.initials: UP
authors.lastname: Neumann
authors.forename: Johann
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pratschke
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Neuhaus
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D002768:Choledochostomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D004322:Drainage / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications