Hepaticoduodenostomy is an alternative to Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy for biliary reconstruction in live donor liver transplantation.

Introduction: A Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy (HJ) is usually performed during live donor liver transplantation (LDLT) when a duct-to-duct reconstruction is not possible. However, direct anastomosis of the bile duct to the duodenum (hepaticoduodenostomy [HD]) is an alternative technique for biliary repair that has been previously used for conventional biliary surgery and at our center for cadaveric liver transplant. We provide the first evidence that HD is an alternative technique for biliary reconstruction in LDLT.

Methods: We performed a total of 71 LDLT between 2002 and 2008. An end-to-end anastomosis was used in 30 patients. Forty-one patients had a biliary enteric anastomosis in which seven were reconstructed with an HD. Accessory ducts were fashioned into a common duct or implanted into the duodenum separately.

Results: There were no patient deaths or retransplants in a follow-up period that ranged from 90 to 771 days after surgery. One patient was diagnosed with cholangitis that responded to intravenous antibiotics and removal of the stent by endoscopy.

Conclusions: This preliminary case series suggests that that HD is a feasible alternative to HJ biliary anastomosis when a duct-to-duct anastomosis cannot be performed. HD offers the possible advantage of simple postoperative access to the biliary system by endoscopy and avoids complications caused by HJ bowel anastomosis.