Resection of Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma

Perihilar cholangiocarcinoma presents at the biliary and vascular junction of the hepatic hilum with a tendency to extend longitudinally into segmental bile ducts. Most patients show metastatic or unresectable disease at time of presentation or surgical exploration. In patients eligible for surgical resection, challenges are to achieve negative bile duct margins, adequate liver remnant function, and adequate portal and arterial inflow to the liver remnant. Surgical treatment is characterized by high rates of postoperative morbidity and mortality. This article reviews the various strategies and techniques, the role of staging laparoscopy, intraoperative frozen section, caudate lobectomy, and vascular reconstruction.