Prevention of biliary complications after liver transplantation

Objective To explore prevention of biliary complications after liver transplantation. Methods The clinical data of 120 patients receiving liver transplantation in our department between April 1993 and October 2001 were retrospectively analyzed. Results The occurrence of biliary complications was confirmed by cholangiography in 10 cases. Eight of them was cured, 1 turned better and 1 died. The morbidity was 8 3% (10/120) and the mortality related to biliary complications was 0 8% (1/120). The incidence of biliary complications related to hepatic artery was 1 7% (2/120) and that related to T tube was 4 3% (5/116). The incidence of biliary complications was significantly increased in the group of WIT3min and CIT8hrs. Conclusions Biliary injury is an important reason for biliary complications after liver transplantation. Reducing the ischemic time of donor liver and avoiding the damage of blood supply system of donor liver bile duct can decrease the morbidity of biliary complications. Improvement of operative skills effectively decrease the incidence of biliary complications related to T tube.