Abstract
BackgroundDespite extensive preoperative staging, still almost half of patients with potentially resectable perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHC) have locally advanced or metastasized disease upon exploratory laparotomy. The value of routine staging laparoscopy (SL) in these patients remains unclear with varying results reported in the literature. The aim of the present systematic review was to provide an overview of studies on SL in PHC and to define its current role in preoperative staging.MethodsA systematic review and meta-analysis were performed in PubMed and EMBASE regarding studies providing data on the diagnostic accuracy of SL in PHC. Primary outcome measures were the overall yield and sensitivity to detect unresectable disease. Secondary outcomes were the yield and sensitivity for recent studies (after 2010) and large study cohorts (≥100 patients) and specific (metastatic) lesions. Methodological quality of studies was assessed with the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies tool.ResultsFrom 173 records, 12 studies including 832 patients met the inclusion criteria. The yield of SL in PHC varied from 6.4 to 45.0 % with a pooled yield of 24.4 % [95 % confidence interval (CI) 16.4–33.4]. Sensitivity to detect unresectable disease ranged from 31.6 to 75 % with a pooled sensitivity of 52.2 % (95 % CI 47.1–57.2). Sensitivity was highest for peritoneal metastases (80.7 %, 95 % CI 70.9–88.3). Subgroup analysis revealed that the yield and sensitivity tended to be lower for studies after 2010. Considerable heterogeneity was detected among the studies.ConclusionsThe results of the pooled analyses suggest that one in four patients with potentially resectable PHC benefits from SL. Given considerable heterogeneity, a trend to lower yield in more recent studies and further improvement of preoperative imaging over time, the routine use of SL seems discouraging. Studies that identify predictors of unresectability, that enable selection of patients who will benefit the most from this procedure, are needed.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00464-016-4788-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
Despite extensive preoperative staging, still almost half of patients with potentially resectable perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHC) have locally advanced or metastasized disease upon exploratory laparotomy
One study described that almost all patients had undergone laparotomy immediately following staging laparoscopy (SL) [7]
From 12 studies reporting on the additional value of SL in 832 patients with PHC, we demonstrated that in 1 out of 4 patients undergoing SL, an unnecessary laparotomy was avoided
Summary
Still almost half of patients with potentially resectable perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHC) have locally advanced or metastasized disease upon exploratory laparotomy. The value of routine staging laparoscopy (SL) in these patients remains unclear with varying results reported in the literature. The aim of the present systematic review was to provide an overview of studies on SL in PHC and to define its current role in preoperative staging. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed in PubMed and EMBASE regarding studies providing data on the diagnostic accuracy of SL in PHC. Primary outcome measures were the overall yield and sensitivity to detect unresectable disease. Secondary outcomes were the yield and sensitivity for recent studies (after 2010) and large study cohorts (C100 patients) and specific (metastatic) lesions. Sensitivity to Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00464-016-4788-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users
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