Background: The goal of this study was to evaluate cause and outcome of biliary complications occurring after pediatric living related liver transplantation (LRLT).
Methods: A database of 205 pediatric patients (71 male and 134 female) undergoing 208 LRLT from June 1990 to April 1996 was reviewed.
Results: The overall incidence of bile duct complications was 13.9% (29 patients). There were 19 bile leaks, 7 anastomotic strictures, 8 intrahepatic biliary complications, and the bile duct was ligated inadvertently in 2 cases. Logistic regression analysis revealed hepatic artery thrombosis, ABO incompatible transplantation, intrapulmonary shunting in recipients, mode of artery reconstruction, and cytomegalovirus infection were all significant risk factors for biliary complications.
Conclusions: Avoidance of ABO incompatible transplantation where possible, routine use of microvascular techniques for hepatic artery reconstruction to minimize the risk of artery thrombosis, earlier transplantation for patients with intrapulmonary shunt, and prophylaxis against cytomegalovirus infection should all reduce the rate of biliary complications after LRLT in pediatric recipients.