Percutaneous radiological biliary interventions after failed endoscopic treatment in living liver donors: experience of a high‐volume transplantation center

Summary This study aimed to evaluate the role of percutaneous radiological treatments for biliary complications (BCs) in donors after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). We retrospectively evaluated BCs in donors involved in 1839 LDLTs between May 2009 and January 2019 at our centre. BCs were classified according to the modified Clavien–Dindo classification (MCDC). Patients treated with percutaneous transhepatic biliary intervention (PTBI) were identified. Complications requiring endoscopic, interventional or surgical treatment (MCDC grades III–IV) involved 123 (6.6%) donors. Complications comprised leakage, n = 73 (60%); stricture, n = 36 (29%); and both leakage and stricture, n = 14 (11%). Percutaneous drainage of biloma formations under ultrasound guidance was performed in 57 donors, endoscopic treatment in 83 and PTBI in 14. Of 83 patients who received endoscopic treatment, 13 were referred for PTBI due to failure or uncannulation. Eight of 14 patients were successfully treated with PTBI. Six patients were treated with a rendezvous procedure combining percutaneous and surgical treatments. In 13 patients, no BCs were developed after catheter or stent removal. In donors with BCs, the treatment should progress from the least invasive method to surgery. In some patients, percutaneous radiological treatments eliminate the need for surgery or can guide surgical treatment. We aimed to investigate the role of percutaneous biliary interventions in the management of biliary complicaitons in donors after living donor liver transplantation.