Complications after endoscopic sphincterotomy in liver transplant recipients: A retrospective single-centre study

Procedure-related readmissions following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in a liver transplant cohort

Background and Aim

Data on post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) adverse events and readmission rates in liver transplantation (LT) patients remain scarce. This study determined the 30-day procedure-related readmission rate following ERCP in an LT cohort at an Australian tertiary academic center.

Methods

All unplanned readmissions within 30 days following ERCP in orthotopic LT patients between December 2012 and August 2021 were retrospectively identified. Demographic data, procedure variables, and readmission characteristics were also collected.

Results

Forty-five procedure-related readmissions were identified (3.3%) from a total of 1369 ERCP procedures. This included 33 cases of cholangitis (2.4%), 7 cases of nonspecific abdominal pain (0.5%), 5 cases of mild post-ERCP pancreatitis (0.5%), and 3 cases of bleeding (0.2%). No procedure-related mortality was observed.

Conclusion

The procedure-related readmission rate following ERCP in this LT cohort was 3.3%, which is likely lower than comparable studies carried out on the overall population.

Feasibility and Safety of ERCP in the Treatment of Biliary Strictures after Liver Transplantation: With a Report of 37 Cases

Background. Liver transplantation (LT) is an effective treatment option for patients with end-stage liver disease; biliary complications are important cause of death in posttransplant patients. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has an irreplaceable role in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with biliary tract disease. Methods. The clinical data of patients with biliary strictures (BS) after LT treated with ERCP admitted to the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from September 2016 to October 2021 were reviewed; the changes in temperature, bilirubin, and albumin before and after treatment and postoperative complications were analyzed. Results. A total of 41 patients were included in the study, and biliary stents were successfully placed in 37 cases (90.2%), while 4 cases (9.8%) were unsuccessful due to complete BS. Patients with ERCP guided biliary stenting had a significant improvement in bilirubin index compared to the preoperative period ( $P<0.05$ ). 27 patients (73.0%) had complete relief of symptoms after 1 ERCP-guided treatment, and 10 patients (27.0%) developed BS again at different times after the first ERCP treatment, among which 8 patients developed BS again within 1 year after the first treatment and 2 patients developed BS again after 1 year after the first treatment. The incidence of endoscopy-related adverse events was 35.14%, with no serious adverse events. Conclusion. ERCP-guided biliary stenting was an effective and safety treatment for BS after LT.

Management of Biliary Complications in Liver Transplant Recipients

Biliary complications are often referred to as the Achilles' heel of liver transplantation (LT). The most common of these complications include strictures, and leaks. Prompt diagnosis and management is key for preservation of the transplanted organ. Unfortunately, a number of factors can lead to delays in diagnosis and make adequate treatment a challenge. Innovations in advanced endoscopic techniques have increased non-surgical options for these complications and in many cases is the preferred approach.

Analysis of Risk Factors in Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography-Related Immediate and Delayed Hemorrhage

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Hemorrhage is a serious complication of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). However, there is a lack of comparative studies on immediate and delayed hemorrhage. The present study aims to explore the relevant risk factors of immediate and delayed hemorrhage of ERCP and compare the similarities and differences.

METHODS

ERCP cases conducted by our hospital between January 2017 and January 2020 were selected for retrospective analysis. Then age, gender, basic disease, laboratory examinations, and other relevant clinical information were collected for the analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 1009 ERCP cases were included in the present study. Among these cases, 76 patients were in the immediate hemorrhage group, 28 patients were in the delayed hemorrhage group, and 905 patients were in the non-hemorrhage group. The univariate analysis revealed that choledocholithiasis, pre-cut, and endoscopic papillary sphincterotomy (EST) were risk factors for immediate hemorrhage, while cholangitis, jaundice, coronary heart disease, pre-cut, high postoperative lipase at four hours and amylase at 24 h, high postoperative leukocyte, urea, bilirubin, low postoperative platelet counts and fibrinogen, and prolonged prothrombin time (PT) and thrombin time (TT) were risk factors for delayed hemorrhage. The logistic regression analysis revealed that EST, pre-cut, and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) were independent risk factors for immediate hemorrhage, while high amylase at 24 h after ERCP, high postoperative urea, prolonged TT, and coronary heart disease were independent risk factors for delayed hemorrhage.

CONCLUSIONS

Pre-cut was a common risk factor for immediate and delayed hemorrhage, while other risk factors were different.

The Incidence of Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography-Related Complications in Patients With Liver Transplant: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review

Background

Existing literature on post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) complications in patients with liver transplant remains scarce and largely inconsistent. We therefore aimed to systematically review and analyze the literature on complication rates associated with ERCP in patients with liver transplant.

Methods

We performed a comprehensive literature search in PubMed, PubMed Central, Embase, and ScienceDirect databases from inception through March 2020 to identify all the studies that evaluated post-ERCP complications in patients with liver transplant. Effect estimates from the individual studies were extracted and combined using the random effect, generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird, and a pooled odds ratio (OR) and event rates were calculated. Forest plots were generated, and publication bias was assessed for using conventional techniques.

Results

Fourteen studies with a total of 1,787 patients were analyzed. In total, 3,192 ERCPs were performed on these patients. The pooled all-complication rate was 5.2% (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.035 - 0.075). Procedural complications analyzed included post-ERCP pancreatitis 3.4% (95% CI: 0.025 - 0.047), bleeding 1.1% (95% CI: 0.006 - 0.020), infections 0.2% (95% CI: 0.025 - 0.047), and cholangitis 0.8% (95% CI: 0.004 - 0.020). No cases of periprocedural death were reported. The pooled OR for post-ERCP pancreatitis in patients with liver transplant compared to patients without liver transplant was 1.289 (95% CI: 0.455 - 3.653, P = 0.633, I² = 72.88%).

Conclusion

Post-ERCP complication rates in liver transplant patients are comparable to the general population and hence, peri-procedural evaluation and management may follow the current standards of care in this patient population.

Malpositioned endoscopically inserted biliary stent causing massive hematemesis managed with vascular plug and stenting

A 46-year-old man with a history of hepatitis B cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) status post liver transplantation two years ago complicated by HCC recurrence and biliary stenosis presented with hypovolemic shock and melena one month after endoscopic exchange of plastic biliary stents. During endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, patient was found to have hemobilia and developed uncontrollable bleeding after a common bile duct (CBD) sweep managed by insertion of a stent-graft across major papilla into presumed CBD. The bleeding continued with subsequent negative angiography, and a computed tomography angiography showed malpositioned stent-graft between major papilla and inferior vena cava (IVC). This was successfully managed by the deployment of a vascular plug inside the stent graft and excluding it by deploying a stent across the affected area in IVC.

Biliary complications after liver transplantation: current perspectives and future strategies

Importance

Liver transplantation (LT) is a life-saving therapy for patients with end-stage liver disease and with acute liver failure, and it is associated with excellent outcomes and survival rates at 1 and 5 years. The incidence of biliary complications (BCs) after LT is reported to range from 5% to 20%, most of them occurring in the first three months, although they can occur also several years after transplantation.

Objective

The aim of this review is to summarize the available evidences on pathophysiology, risk factors, diagnosis and therapeutic management of BCs after LT.

Evidence Review

a literature review was performed of papers on this topic focusing on risk factors, classifications, diagnosis and treatment.

Findings

Principal risk factors include surgical techniques and donor's characteristics for biliary leakage and anastomotic biliary strictures and vascular alterations for non- anastomotic biliary strictures. MRCP is the gold standard both for intra- and extrahepatic BCs, while invasive cholangiography should be restricted for therapeutic uses or when MRCP is equivocal. About treatment, endoscopic techniques are the first line of treatment with success rates of 70-100%. The combined success rate of ERCP and PTBD overcome 90% of cases. Biliary leaks often resolve spontaneously, or with the positioning of a stent in ERCP for major bile leaks.

Conclusions and Relevance

BCs influence morbidity and mortality after LT, therefore further evidences are needed to identify novel possible risk factors, to understand if an immunological status that could lead to their development exists and to compare the effectiveness of innovative surgical and machine perfusion techniques.

Gallstone Pancreatitis: A Common but Often Overlooked Cause of Abdominal Pain in Post-Liver-Transplant Patients

Introduction

In general population, gallstone pancreatitis is the most common cause of pancreatitis. However, there are very few literatures that address this topic in post-liver-transplant patients.

Clinical Case

A 69-year-old female who had a liver transplant in 2015 due to hepatocellular carcinoma and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) cirrhosis. She had a recent episode of acute cellular rejection that was treated with high dose methylprednisolone 1 week prior to admission. She presented with severe epigastric abdominal pain associated with nausea and vomiting. Her laboratory studies showed significantly elevated serum lipase, AST, and ALT from her baseline. She underwent urgent Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) with Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) that showed common bile duct stone that was extracted.

Discussion

Biliary sludge and stones accounted for 22% of late onset acute pancreatitis after liver transplant. Corticosteroids have been identified as one of the potential causes of drug-induced pancreatitis. However, she is more likely to have gall stone pancreatitis since she also had dilated common bile duct and intrahepatic duct. In addition, there was CBD stone noted on ERCP.

Conclusion

Acute gallstone associated pancreatitis after liver transplant is not uncommon. Patients generally have good outcomes. Further prospective studies are warranted.