title: Percutaneous yttrium aluminum garnet-laser lithotripsy of intrahepatic stones and casts after liver transplantation.
abstract: Bile duct stones and casts (BDSs) contribute importantly to morbidity after liver transplantation (LT). The purpose of this study was to estimate the clinical efficacy, safety, and long-term results of percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic lithotripsy (PTCSL) in transplant recipients and to discuss underlying factors affecting the outcome. A retrospective chart review revealed 18 recipients with BDSs treated by PTCSL laser lithotripsy with a holmium-yttrium aluminum garnet laser probe at 365 to 550 µm. They were analyzed in a median follow-up time of 55 months. In all but 1 patient (17/18 or 94%), it was technically feasible to clear all BDSs with a mean of 1.3 sessions. PTCSL was unsuccessful in 1 patient because of multiple stones impacting the bile ducts bilaterally; 17% had early complications (Clavien II). All biliary casts were successfully cleared; 39% had total remission; 61% needed additional interventions in the form of percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and dilation (17%), re-PTCSL (11%), self-expandable metallic stents (22%), or hepaticojejunostomy (6%); and 22% eventually underwent retransplantation. The overall liver graft survival rate was 78%. Two patients died during follow-up for reasons not related to their BDS. Nonanastomotic strictures (NASs) were significantly associated with treatment failure. We conclude that PTCSL in LT patients is safe and feasible. NASs significantly increased the risk of relapse. Repeated minimally invasive treatments, however, prevented graft failure in 78% of the cases.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Surgery and Transplantation, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.|Department of Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, Denmark.
authors.forename: Nis Hallundbaek
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Schlesinger
authors.affiliation: Departments of Surgery and Transplantation, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Svenningsen
authors.affiliation: Departments of Radiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Frevert
authors.affiliation: Departments of Surgery and Transplantation, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wettergren
authors.affiliation: Departments of Surgery and Transplantation, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hillingsø
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D042882:Gallstones / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017602:Lithotripsy, Laser / Q000379:methods*; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies