Diagnosis and treatment for advanced hilar cholangiocarcinoma: experience of 24 cases

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the efficacy of the surgical treatment for advanced hilar cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) in order to improve the resection rate and curative effect. A retrospective analysis was performed on the data of 24 patients who had undergone surgical treatment for advanced hilar CCA. According to the Bismuth classification, there were four cases of type IIIa, six cases of type IIIb, and 14 cases of type IV. Based on the treatment approaches, these patients were divided into three groups: ① Radical resection group: There were five cases (one type IIIa, three type IIIb, and one type IV). The tumor visible to the naked eyes was resected thoroughly and the cut margin was free of tumor by microscopic examination. Then, Roux-en-Y hepatico-jejunal anastomosis was performed to restore the bile flow. ② Palliative resection group: There were 11 cases. The bile flow was restored by Roux-en-Y hepatico-jejunal anastomosis directly in five cases (two type IIIa, three type IIIb) and by internal drainage through a hepatico-jejunal bridge in the other six cases (one type IIIa, five type IV). ③ Simple internal biliary drainage group: There were eight cases of type IV, including three cases with the internal drainage through hepatico-jejunal bridge by laparotomy, three cases with endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage (ERBD), two cases with percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD). The rate of radical resection was 20.8% and the overall resection rate was 66.7%. All of the 24 patients were followed-up. The cumulative surviving rates were significantly different among these three groups (Log-rank χ2 = 17.56, P = 0.0002). For advanced hilar CCA, the best choice of treatment is radical resection. If radical resection is impractical, palliative resection combined with partial hepatectomy can significantly prolong the survival time. Internal drainage through a hepatico-jejunal bridge can enhance the surgical resection rate and decrease the occurrence rate of postoperative biliary leakage.