Duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction in selected cases in pediatric living-donor left-lobe liver transplantation

Pediatr Transplant. 2009 Sep;13(6):693-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-3046.2008.01040.x. Epub 2008 Nov 26.

Abstract

The feasibility of D-D biliary reconstruction in pediatric LDLT using left-lobe graft has been discussed in few reports. The use of a trans-anastomotic biliary tube seemed to be the favorable method to avoid the complications according to these reports. We had performed left-lobe LDLT for seven pediatric cases and D-D was done originally. Three cases were converted to R-Y hepaticojejunostomy due to radical resection of hepatoduodenal ligament (n = 1) and severe kinking of D-D (n = 2). Four cases received D-D using 6-0 PDS interrupted sutures without external stent tube. One D-D case died of intra-cerebral hemorrhage 10 days after operation with a functioning graft. There was one biliary leakage in a D-D patient who required PTCD stent for 4 months without any sequale. From our limited experience, D-D biliary reconstruction without external stent tube in left-lobe LDLT is feasible in certain pediatric cases having normal extra-hepatic bile ducts. In smaller recipient with larger graft, the use of a trans-anastomotic biliary tube can prevent anastomotic kinking although we suggest R-Y biliary reconstruction is better for this condition.

MeSH terms

  • Anastomosis, Roux-en-Y / methods*
  • Bile Ducts / surgery*
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Liver / anatomy & histology*
  • Liver / pathology
  • Liver Transplantation / methods*
  • Living Donors
  • Male
  • Pediatrics / methods
  • Stents
  • Surgical Procedures, Operative*
  • Treatment Outcome