T-tube Systematic Use in the Biliary Anastomosis: Comparison of Two Consecutive Series of Liver Transplantation
C M García Bernardo1, I González-Pinto Arrillaga1, A Miyar de León1
1Department of General Surgery (HPB and Liver Transplant Unit), University Hospital Central of Asturias (HUCA), University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain.
Objectives:
The authors sought to check the frequency of biliary complications with the use of a T-tube. In 2012, throughout the year, it was carried out systematically in all liver transplantations regardless of the characteristics of the bile duct. Despite the long experience, biliary complications remain a common cause of postoperative morbidity and mortality.
Material And Methods:
In this study we compared complications in 23 consecutive transplantation cases using T-tube biliary anastomosis during the year 2012 with 23 consecutive transplantation cases without T-tube during the year 2013. We evaluated postoperative complications and long-term outcomes (for 2 years to 3 years).
Results:
Of the 23 patients with anastomosis with a T-tube, 2 patients (8.69%) had biliary stricture that required prosthesis by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, 1 of them (4.34%) was operated by incorrect placement of the T-tube, and in 4 patients (17.39%) bile leakage (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography prostheses in 3 cases and hepaticojejunostomy in 1). During follow-up at 3 years, only 2 patients had minimal bile duct dilatation without clinical relevance. In the patients who underwent transplantation without a T-tube, 18 (78.26%) had no complications, 3 (13.04%) showed stenosis (prosthesis placement), and 2 (8.69%) had bile leakage (hepaticojejunostomy and prosthesis). During follow-up at 2 years to 3 years, no patient had biliary dilatation or alteration of cholestatic parameters. In the comparative study of both groups we found no statistically significant differences.
Conclusions:
We have not seen an improvement in complications with the use of T-tube (69.56% vs. 78.23%) that encourage us to work systematically, although the small number of cases does not allow statistically significant conclusions.
