Endoscopic treatment of biliary strictures after orthotopic liver transplantation: balloon dilatation versus stent placement. A prospective, controlled trial

Background and Study Aims: Biliary strictures are a major cause of morbidity following liver transplantation (LTX) with a variable incidence between 6 and 20%. Endoscopic therapy with balloon dilation, placement of plastic stents and combination of both procedures has been shown to be effective. Despite these successful reports, a valid, endoscopic therapeutic regimen is not defined. In the present prospective controlled trial, we compared balloon dilation vs. balloon dilation plus stenting with regard to technical and clinical efficacy as well as complications. Patients and Methods: A total of 31 patients with…