Complex Liver Resections for Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

The only curative treatment option for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is liver resection. Due to central tumor localization and vascular invasion, complex liver resections play an important role in curative treatment. However, the long-term outcomes after complex liver resection are not known. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted for all patients undergoing liver surgery for iCCA. Complex liver resections included ante situm resections, associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) and major liver resection with vascular reconstructions. Results: Forty-nine patients (34%) received complex liver resection, 66 patients (46%) received conventional liver resection and 28 patients (20%) were not resectable during exploration. Preoperative characteristics were not different between the groups, except for Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) stages. The postoperative course for complex liver resections was associated with more complications and perioperative mortality. However, long-term survival was not different between complex and conventional resections. Independent risk factors for survival were R0 resections and UICC stage. Four patients underwent ante situm resection without any mortality. Conclusions: Complex liver resections are justified in selected patients and survival is comparable with conventional liver resections. Survival in iCCA is affected by UICC stage or resections margins and not by the complexity of the case.