Novel Treatment for Complex Bile Leakage After Liver Transplantation

Bile leakage is a common complication after liver transplantation that may usually be cured with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), percutaneous transhepatic cholangial drainage (PTCD), percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy (PTCS)and surgery. We report a novel treatment for biliary leakage lasting 9 months after liver transplantation, during which ERCP, PTCD, PTCS, and surgical therapy were in vain. We have used a new method of multi-endoscopic treatment. First, ERCP and peroral single operator cholangioscopy are used to place a plastic stent as a marker at the distal end of the bile leakage site. Second, PTCS is performed through the PTCD tube. During the operation, the proximal end of the bile leakage site is located by the plastic stent and B ultrasound, and the continuity of the biliary tract is temporarily reconstructed through the guide wire and urinary catheter. Third, a double-headed guidewire is placed, the urinary catheter is removed, the stents are placed, and biliary continuity is reconstructed. In conclusion, we have found a new method combining ERCP, peroral single operator cholangioscopy, and PTCS to treat complex bile leakage after liver transplantation.