Biliary complications after liver transplantation

Abstract

Biliary complications remain a substantial cause of morbidity following liver transplantation. They have been reported to occur in a rate of 10-15% of full-size transplantations and may be higher in living donor, split or reduced size liver transplantations. The most common biliary complications following liver transplantations are leaks and strictures. In both, the incidence varies with respect to type of graft and donor as well as the type of biliary anastomosis. The management of the biliary complications requires a multidisciplinary approach and has changed over the past decade, favoring endoscopic and radiological techniques. Surgical revision including retransplantation is reserved for patients in whom endoscopic and interventional modalities are unsuccessful.