Major liver resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma

Between 1968 and 1984 liver resection with curative attempt was performed in 22 patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Right lobectomy was performed in 4 patients, extended right lobectomy in 7, left lobectomy in 8, and excision of the median segment segment of the left lobe (segment IV) in 3. Bilio-enteric continuity was restored by hepatocholedochostomy in 17 patients and hepatojejunostomy in 4. (One patient had external transhepatic catheter drainage and no internal bile drainage.) Operative mortality rate was 27% and caused by excessive intraoperative bleeding, sepsis, or liver insufficiency. Postoperative complications occurred in 57% of patients surviving the operation and were due mainly to leakage from the hepatocholedochostomy. Median survival was 6 months, and one third of the patients survived 1 year. Three patients survived 10 years and were among the four patients in whom a tumor-free resection margin was obtained (one of them died in the postoperative phase). It is concluded that resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma may give long-term survival if a free resection margin is obtained. The importance of a free resection margin indicates that surgery should be aggressive and include liver resection.