{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Long-term outcomes of fully covered self-expandable metal stents for refractory biliary strictures after living donor liver transplantation: a retrospective study at a tertiary center.
{Author}: Cho SH;Lee HS;Huh G;Oh D;Song TJ;Seo DW;Lee SK;
{Journal}: Surg Endosc
{Volume}: 38
{Issue}: 6
{Year}: 2024 Jun 22
{Factor}: 3.453
{DOI}: 10.1007/s00464-024-10837-4
{Abstract}: <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>Endoscopic multiple plastic stents are an established first-line treatment for anastomotic biliary stricture (ABS) management after liver transplantation (LT). Fully covered self-expandable metallic stents (FCSEMSs) have recently been used with favorable outcomes, but long-term treatment outcomes remain an issue for ABS. We evaluated the long-term outcomes of FCSEMS for the management of refractory ABS after LT.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>We reviewed the prospectively collected and maintained endoscopic retrograde cholangiography database at Asan Medical Center to retrieve consecutive post-LT ABS cases that underwent an endoscopic FCSEMS placement between August 2009 and August 2019 after MPS placement failure.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>A total of 34 patients were enrolled in this study. Technical success had been achieved in all subjects (100%). The median stent placement duration was 3.1 months (IQR 2.7-6.1). Stricture resolution was achieved in 26 patients (clinical success 76.5%, 95% confidence interval 62-91). Early adverse events developed in 3 patients (8.8%), including distal stent migration. Late adverse events occurred in 9 patients (26.5%), including cholangitis (n = 7, 20.6%) and asymptomatic distal stent migration (n = 2, 5.9%). The median follow-up period was 57.9 months (IQR 51.9-64.3). Stricture recurrence occurred in 3 of 26 patients who achieved clinical success (11.5%).<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>FCSEMS placement appears to be an effective and advisable intervention for refractory ABS as it can provide persistent stricture improvement over the long-term.