Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided drainage of intra-abdominal fluid collection after liver transplantation: a case series of six patients

摘要

Intra-abdominal fluid collection associated with infection is a major complication after liver transplantation (LT). However, post-LT recipients are at high risk for requiring various interventions and surgeries, due to their poor, immunosuppressed conditions. We herein describe six patients with symptomatic or growing intra-abdominal fluid collection after LT who underwent endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)-guided drainage. There were five males and one female, and the median age was 47 years (24-60 years). All procedures were technically and clinically successful in all patients. The median number of endoscopic sessions was 2.5 (1-4 sessions) until resolution. Procedure-related adverse events occurred in two patients and included peritonitis, bleeding, and stent migration, which improved conservatively or endoscopically. During the median follow-up period of 63 months (17-110 months), recurrence occurred in one patient. EUS-guided drainage is an effective and safe treatment for intra-abdominal fluid collection even in post-LT recipients.