title: Results of Biliary Reconstruction Using a Polytetrafluoroethylene Graft in Liver Transplant Patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Biliary complications after liver transplant are a major concern with their high incidence, the need for repeated and long-term treatment, and their potential effects on graft and patient survival. We report our experience with biliary anastomosis using a spiral polytetrafluoroethylene graft.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between December 8, 1988, and July 2016, we performed 538 liver transplant procedures. We used a spiral polytetrafluoroethylene graft for biliary anastomosis in 10 patients: for biliary stricture reconstruction after liver transplant in 4 patients and during the primary liver transplant in 6 patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four patients who underwent biliary stricture reconstruction are doing well, with normal liver function. Of the 6 patients who received the graft during primary liver transplant, 2 died from sepsis, although they maintained normal liver function. Of the 4 living patients, 1 had a biliary complication that was reconstructed surgically. The 4 living patients are currently doing well, with normal liver function.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our small series of patients shows that the use of a spiral polytetrafluoroethylene graft is effective at reducing biliary complications in transplant patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Transplant Surgery, Baskent University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haberal
authors.forename: Ebru H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Ayvazoglu Soy
authors.forename: Gokhan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Moray
authors.forename: Kenan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Caliskan
authors.forename: Sedat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yildirim
authors.forename: Adnan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Torgay
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D001652:Bile Ducts / Q000601:surgery*; D001662:Biliary Tract Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods / Q000401:mortality; D002648:Child; D002779:Cholestasis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000401:mortality; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000401:mortality; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene