Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2026
Application of the En Bloc Concept Combined with Anatomic Resection in Laparoscopic Hepatectomy
Published on: March 10, 2023
Surgical treatment of Klatskin tumor: liver resection versus transplantation
Gernot M Kaiser1, Georgios C Sotiropoulos, George Sgourakis
1Department of General, visceral, and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany gernot.kaiser@uk-essen.de
Background:
Our objective was to evaluate liver transplantation as a treatment option for Klatskin tumor. Results for transplanted patients suffering from hilar cholangiocarcinoma were therefore compared to patients after hemihepatectomy.
Methodology:
In a retrospective case-control study, seven patients transplanted for hilar cholangiocarcinoma were matched in terms of UICC stage with seven patients who underwent resection of the hilar bifurcation combined with a hemihepatectomy.
Results:
Median survival was 22 months (range 1-55 months) for patients after liver resection and 64 months (range 1-138 months) for patients after liver transplantation. One and three year overall survival was 71% and 43% after liver resection versus 71% and 57% after liver transplantation. One patient from each group died within one month after surgery. Fatal cerebral bleeding and post-resection liver failure leading to multi-organ failure and sepsis were the causes of early mortality. Three patients are currently alive: one with 64 months after transplantation and two patients with 42 and 55 months after liver resection.
Conclusions:
Based on our findings and recently published promising results using liver transplantation for Klatskin tumor, it seems worthwhile to reconsider its potential use in the light of multimodal tumor treatment.
