Percutaneous Transhepatic Sphincterotome–Guided Management of Post–Living Donor Liver Transplant Biliary Anastomotic Stricture: An Innovative Approach

Abstract

ABSTRACT Post–liver transplantation biliary complications remain a serious concern and are associated with reduced patient and graft survival. Among various biliary complications, anastomotic stricture (AS) is the most frequent and challenging one. The frequency of AS after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is higher as compared to deceased donor liver transplantation. The management involves endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and/or percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage, but refractory cases necessitate surgical revision. We present a case of complex biliary AS in a 63-year-old man after LDLT. The conventional approaches including endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography, and cholangioscope-guided interventions remained unsuccessful. An innovative approach using a wire-guided sphincterotome through percutaneous transhepatic route successfully managed the complex post-LDLT AS. This is perhaps the first reported case of novel utilization of sphincterotome through transhepatic route for the management of AS in LDLT, averting major surgical interventions with related morbidity and mortality.