Objectives To evaluate feasibility, safety and mid-time outcome of pediatric liver transplant patients treated with a biodegradable biliary stent for anastomotic biliary strictures.

Methods Retrospective study of pediatric liver transplant patients treated using a biodegradable stent for anastomotic biliary strictures from January 2014 to December 2016. The stricture was diagnosed using US, MR and liver tests and confirmed using a cholangiography. During the cholangiography, a dilation with an angioplasty balloon was performed and an internal-external drainage was inserted. Two weeks after the first procedure, a control cholangiography was done. In patients with biliary stricture persistence, a tailor-made biodegradable biliary stent was placed. Patients were followed clinically, biochemically and using US.

Results A total of 11 stents were placed in 10 pediatric liver transplant patients with a median age of 5.8 years [8months – 11 years]. The stent placement was done through percutaneous transhepatic access, without incidences, a median of 8.5 weeks after the first dilation. The median follow-up was 7.2 months [2 weeks – 25.7 months]. No complications related to the stent placement were observed during the follow up. A 50% decrease in the values of ALT, GGT and bilirubin was observed a median of 15 days [2 – 46] after stent placement. The stent was visible by US at 1, 3 and 6 months after the placement in 100%, 77% and 62% of the patients, respectively. Neither migration nor restenosis were observed during the follow up.

Conclusion Percutaneous biodegradable biliary stents was a feasible, safe and effective treatment in pediatric liver transplant patients with anastomotic biliary stenosis.

CITATION INFORMATION: Quintero J, Juamperez J, Cabello V, Perez M, Bilbao I, Molino J, Charco R. Use of Biodegradable Stents for the Treatment of Anastomotic Biliary Strictures in Pediatric Liver Transplant Patients. Am J Transplant. 2017;17 (suppl 3).

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