Carcinoma of the bifurcation of the hepatic ducts

Thirty-one patients with carcinoma of the bifurcation of the hepatic ducts were treated during a period of ten years. Sixteen of the 31 patients underwent resection. Left, right, and extended right lobectomy with the resection of the bilateral hepatic ducts, common hepatic and bile ducts were performed on 11, 1, and 3 patients, respectively. In a cirrhotic patient, resection of the left medial segment and bile ducts was carried out. The biliary tract was reconstructed using hepaticojejunostomy or hepatojejunostomy. Four of the 16 patients are still alive for six months, 1 1/2 years, one year and 11 months, and two years and ten months, respectively. The remaining 12 patients died of recurrence at periods ranging from six months to three years and eight months. The treatment is now focused on increasing long-term survival.