[Hilar cholangiocarcinoma: right versus left hepatectomy]

Right-sided hepatectomy including segment 1 and right trisectionectomy are typical approaches to surgical treatment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma. In this study we have compared the oncological capacity of this approach to left-sided hepatectomy. PATIENTS AND PROCEDURES: In 223 patients referred to our institution 150 hepatic resections were performed: 14 hilar resections, 68 right and 68 left hepatectomies.

Survival after curative (R0) and palliative surgery was significantly superior to that in patient with exploration or no surgery at all (p < 0.0001). 5- and 10-year survival after right versus left hepatectomy was 29 and 22 % versus 21 and 7 % (p = 0.204). If hospital mortality was eliminated, survival after right hepatectomy was marginally significantly superior to that after left-sided hepatectomy (p = 0.041). Hospital mortality was 13 % after right compared to 4 % after left hepatectomy (p = 0.069). The R situation was of prognostic importance following right and the N situation after left hepatectomy (p = 0.038 and 0.01, respectively). Vascular resection - in right-sided procedures performed as "hilar en bloc resection" - did not influence the outcome.

Low perioperative mortality after left-sided resection and, obviously, inferior oncological radicality are features of left hepatectomy. These features do not detract from the importance of left hepatectomy which is an indispensable approach to surgically treated patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma.