title: Endoscopic management of biliary complications after liver transplantation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Liver transplantation is the only effective treatment for chronic liver diseases and terminal survival rate has increased in recent decades. However, biliary complications have high incidence and remain as the "Achilles heel" for liver transplantation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate retrospectively endoscopic treatment outcomes of biliary complications in post-liver transplantations.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample consisted of post-liver transplantation patients for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography due to suspected biliary complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifteen patients were included (10 male, mean age of 49.57 years) and 36 endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographies were undertaken (2.4/patient). Biliary stricture was diagnosed in 13 patients and endoscopic treatment was successful in 56% (38,46% still in treatment). Biliary leaks were found in one patient and dysfunction of the hepatobilliary ampulla with choledocholithiasis was diagnosed in one patient, both cured by endoscopic treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Post-liver transplantation biliary complications are relatively common and endoscopic treatment may result in satisfactory outcome. Stenosis was the more frequent complication in this series.
authors: Hospital Geral Cesar Cals, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
authors: Jeany Borges e Silva
authors: JB
authors: Ribeiro
authors: Fabrício de Sousa
authors: Fde S
authors: Martins
authors: José Huygens Parente
authors: JH
authors: Garcia
authors: Adriano César Costa
authors: AC
authors: Cunha
authors: Ricardo Augusto Rocha
authors: RA
authors: Pinto
authors: Marcus Vallerius
authors: MV
authors: Satacaso
authors: Francisco Paulo Ponte
authors: FP
authors: Prado-Júnior
authors: Ricardo Rangel de Paula
authors: RR
authors: Pessoa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001660:Biliary Tract Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies