Eversion Bile Duct Anastomosis: A Safe Alternative for Bile Duct Size Discrepancy in Deceased Donor Liver Transplantation

Bile duct size discrepancy in liver transplantation may increase the risk of biliary complications (BCs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and outcomes of the eversion bile duct anastomosis technique in deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) with duct-to-duct anastomosis. A total of 210 patients who received a DDLT with duct-to-duct anastomosis from 2012 to 2017 were divided into 2 groups: those who had eversion bile duct anastomosis (n = 70) and those who had standard bile duct anastomosis (n = 140). BC rates were compared between the 2 groups. There was no difference in the cumulative incidence of biliary strictures (P = 0.20) and leaks (P = 0.17) between the 2 groups. The BC rate in the eversion group was 14.3% and 11.4% in the standard anastomosis group. All the BCs in the eversion group were managed with endoscopic stenting. A severe size mismatch (3:1 ratio) was associated with a significantly higher incidence of biliary strictures (44.4%) compared with a 2:1 ratio (8.2%; P = 0.002). In conclusion, the use of the eversion technique is a safe alternative for bile duct discrepancy in DDLT. However, severe bile duct size mismatch may be a risk factor for biliary strictures with such a technique.