Biodegradable biliary stents placement using a "kissing-stent" technique for management of a recalcitrant stricture post-live donor liver transplant.

Abstract

Background: Biliary complications are common in pediatric liver transplant. Strictures resistant to interventional radiology procedures can be extremely challenging to manage and may result in the need of surgery or retransplantation.

Methods: This case report illustrates the use of biodegradable stents post left lateral segment live donor liver transplant in a pediatric patient with a recalcitrant chronic stricture of the biliary-enteric anastomosis. The patient developed a high stricture requiring multiple interventions and eventual access of both the segment II and segment III ducts of the graft.

Results: To ensure adequate biliary drainage, two biodegradable stents were deployed using a "kissing-stent" technique. The stents were successfully deployed and allowed the patient to remain free from an internal-external biliary drain for 11 months, with eventual redeployment of an additional biodegradable stent.

Conclusion: In patients with recalcitrant stenosis of the biliary anastomosis, biodegradable stents may provide durable drainage, optimizing graft function and delaying retransplantation in addition to keeping patients without external devices, thus improving quality of life.