title: The evolution of therapeutic strategies for biliary tract complications after liver transplantation over a period of 20 years.
abstract: Despite the improved overall outcomes of liver transplantation as a result of advances in surgical techniques and improved immunosuppressive control, biliary complications (BCs) continue to be the most common cause of morbidity in liver transplant recipients. The objectives of this study were to analyze the incidence, type, and management of BCs over a 20-year period. We performed a comparative study of two groups of liver transplant patients in our unit operated on by the same surgical team: group I consists of the first 300 liver transplant patients (1989-1992), and group II is composed of the last 300 liver transplants (2007-2011). We found no significant differences in the number of cases of biliary leakage whether or not a Kehr T-tube was used. However, there was a significant relationship between a greater number of anastomotic strictures and less use of a Kehr T-tube. In our series, there has been a decrease over the years in the number of surgical interventions required to resolve these complications and an increase in radiologic and endoscopic treatment.
authors.affiliation: Liver Transplantation Unit, Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital, Murcia, España.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: González
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Cascales
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Abellán
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Pons
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miras
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Capel
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sánchez Bueno
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Robles
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Febrero
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ríos
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ramírez
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Parrilla
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001659:Biliary Tract / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents