Therapeutic value of modified multipoint drainage for biliary complications after liver transplantation

Abstract

Objective To investigate the therapeutic value of modified multipoint drainage for biliary complications after liver transplantation. Methods A total of 125 patients treated by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for biliary complications after liver transplantation in Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from May 2018 to May 2020 were enrolled. Patients were divided into endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage (ERBD) group (n=67, treated with multiple drainage of bile duct stent) and modified multipoint drainage group [n=58, treated with ERBD combined with endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD)] by random number table. Modified multipoint drainage group were further randomly divided into two groups, modification group 1, 31 cases, where nasobiliary ducts were cut proximal to duodenal papilla after one week under endoscopy and modification group 2, 27 cases, where they were cut proximal to duodenal papilla after two weeks under endoscopy. The changes of serological indexes in 2 weeks after the operation in three groups were compared, and the incidence of short‑term and long‑term complications were analyzed. Results The serological indexes were improved in patients at 1 d, 7 d and 14 d after ERCP, especially in modified multipoint drainage groups. Two weeks after the operation, the improvement of serological indexes in modification group 2 was better than that in modification group 1. Incidence of recent complications including cholangitis, hyperamylasinemia, and pancreatitis in the ERBD group were higher than those in modification group 1 [32.84% (22/67) VS 12.90% (4/31), 46.27% (31/67) VS 19.35% (6/31), 20.90% (14/67) VS 3.23% (1/31), all P<0.05] and modification group 2 [32.84% (22/67) VS 11.11% (3/27), 46.27% (31/67) VS 22.22% (6/27), 20.90% (14/67) VS 3.70% (1/27), all P<0.05]. ERBD group had a higher incidence of long‑term complications including recurrent biliary infection and jaundice than modification group 1 [ 58.21% (39/67) VS 35.48% (11/31), P=0.036; 49.25% (33/67) VS 25.81% (8/31), P=0.027] and modification group 2 [58.21% (39/67) VS 11.11% (3/27), P<0.001; 49.25% (33/67) VS 25.93% (7/27), P=0.038]. The incidence of recurrent biliary infection in modification group 1 was higher than that in modification group 2 [35.48% (11/31) VS 11.11% (3/27), P=0.030]. Conclusion Multiple drainage with indwelling nasal bile duct by ERCP can effectively reduce the short‑term and long‑term complications and improve the recovery of serological indexes for patients with biliary complications after liver transplantation. It is suggested that the nasobiliary duct should be retained for 2 weeks and then transformed into a built-in tube to continue drainage.