Abstract
Orthotopic liver transplantation (LT) has established its role as the optimum treatment for end-stage liver disease and selected cases of hepatocellular carcinoma. Although biliary stones and sludge are relatively common after LT, cholecystolithiasis has not yet been reported. We present the case of post-LT symptomatic cholecystolithiasis, which was successfully treated with laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The incidence of biliary complications after LT and the role of laparoscopy after prior upper abdominal operations are further discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Londono MC, Balderramo D, Cardenas A. Management of biliary complications after orthotopic liver transplantation: The role of endoscopy. World J Gastroenterol 2008;14:493–497.
Tung BY, Kimmey MB. Biliary complications of orthotopic liver transplantation. Dig Dis 1999;17:133–144.
Parscher A, Neuhaus P. Biliary complications after deceaseddonor orthotopic liver transplantation. J Hepatobiliary Pancreat Surg 2006;13:487–496.
Thethy S, Thomson BNJ, Pleass H, Wigmore SJ, Madhavan K, Akyol M, Forsythe JL, James Garden O. Management of biliary tract complications after orthotopic liver transplantation. Clin Transplant 2004;18:647–653.
Greif F, Bronsther OL, van Thiel DH, Casavilla A, Iwatsuki S, Tzakis A, Todo S, Fung JJ, Starzl TE. The incidence, timing, and Management of biliary tract complications after orthotopic liver transplantation. Ann Surg 1994;219:40–45.
Welling TH, Heidt DG, Englesbe MJ, Magee JC, Sung RS, Campbell DA, Punch JD, Pelletier SJ. Biliary complications following liver transplantation in the Model for End-stage Liver Disease era: Effect of donor, recipient, and technical factors. Liver Transpl 2008;14:73–80.
Khuroo MS, Al Ashgar H, Khuroo NS, Khan MQ, Khalaf HA, Al-Sebayel M, El Din Hassan MG. Biliary disease after liver transplantation: The experience of the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and research center, Riyadh. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2005;20:217–228.
Alsharabi A, Zieniewicz K, Michalowicz B, Patkowski W, Nyckowski P, Wroblewski T, Grzelak I, Paluszkiewicz R, Hevelke P, Remiszewski P, Cieslak B, Kornasiewicz O, Kotulski M, Skwarek A, Urban M, Sanko-Resmer J, Krawczyk M. Biliary complications in relation to the technique of biliary reconstruction in adult liver transplant recipients. Transplant Proc 2007;39:2785–2787.
Starzl TE. Liver transplantation. Johns Hopkins Med J 1978;143:73–83.
Vernadakis S, Cicinnati VR, Beckebaum S, Paul A, Sotiropoulos GC. Colorectal cancer following liver transplantation. Int J Colorectal Dis 2011 Mar; (Epub ahed of print)
Calne RY. A new technique for biliary drainage in orthotopic liver transplantation utilizing the gall bladder as a pedicle graft conduit between the donor and recipient common bile ducts. Ann Surg 1976;184(5):605–609
Yanaga K, Sugimachi K. Biliary tract reconstruction in liver transplantation. Surg Today 1992;22:493–500.
Chaib E, Friend PJ, Jamieson NV, Calne RY. Biliary tract reconstruction: comparison of different techniques after 187 paediatric liver transplantations. Transpl Int 1994;7:39–42.
Shirmer BD, Dix J, Schmieg RE Jr, Aguilar M, Urch S. The impact of previous abdominal surgery on outcome following laparoscopic chocystectomy. Surg Endosc 1995;9:1085–1089.
Freys SM, Fuchs KH, Heimbucher J, Thiede A. Laparoscopic interventions in previously operated patients. Chirurg 1994;65:616–623.
Karayiannakis AJ, Polychronidis A, Perente S, Botaitis S, Simopoulos C. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with previous upper or lower abdominal surgery. Surg Endosc 2004;18: 97–101.
Simopoulos C, Botaitis S, Karayiannakis AJ, Tripsianidis G, Pitiakoudis M, Polychronidis A. The contribution of acute cholecystitis, obesity, and previous abdominal surgery on the outcome of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, Am Surg 2007;73:371–376.
Akyurek N, Salman B, Irkorucu O, Tascilar Ö, Yuksel O, Sare M, Taltlicioglu E. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with previous abdominal surgery. JSLS 2005;9:178–183.
Diez J, Delbene R, Ferreres A. The feasibility of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with previous abdominal surgery. HPB Surgery, 1998;10:353–356.
Girometti R, Cereser L, Como G, Zuiani C, Bazzocchi M. Biliary complications after liver transplantation: MRCP findings. Abdominal Imaging 2008;33:542–554.
Jeffrey GP, Brind AM, Ormonde DG, Frazer CK, Ferguson J, Bell R, Kierath A, Reed WD, House AK. Management of biliary tract complications following liver transplantation. Aust N Z J Surg. 1999;69:717–722.
Hiatt JR, Quinones-Baldrich WJ, Ramming KP, Brems J, Busuttil RW. Operations upon the biliary tract during transplantation of the liver. Surg Gynecol Obstet. 1987;165:89–93.
Starzl TE, Putnam CW, Hansbrough JF, Porter KA, Reid HA. Biliary complications after liver transplantation: with special references to the biliary cast syndrome and techniques of secondary duct repair. Surgery 1977;81:212–221.
Sheng R, Ramirez CB, Zajko AB, Cambell WL. Biliary stones and sludge in liver transplant patients: a 13-year experience. Radiology 1996;198:243–247.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Vernadakis, S., Sotiropoulos, G.C., Kaiser, G.M. et al. Symptomatic cholecystolithiasis as a rare late biliary complication 16 years after orthotopic liver transplantation, successfully treated with laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Hellenic J Surg 83, 159–161 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13126-011-0031-4
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13126-011-0031-4