Dumbbell type radical resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma

Abstract

Surgical resection is considered to be the most effective therapy for hilar cholangiocarcinoma.Inadequate excision range is the main reason for recurrence after surgery.Extended radical resection provides better long-term survival,however,it may also increase the risk of liver failure because of the extensive hepatic resection.In present study,we showed a new operation which could excise enough length of bile ducts and avoid large volume hepatic tissue resection.The excision extension includes:segment Ⅰ,Ⅳb and partial Ⅳ,left,right and furcation of hepatic duct,extrahepatic ducts,skeletonization of hilar vessels,and dissection of at least second station lymph nodes.As the tissue resected resembles a dumbbell,this surgical technique is named dumbbell type radical resection.The operative indications include:(1) hilar cholangiocarcinoma,Bithmuth Ⅱ and Bithmuth Ⅲ with tumor limited in left or right hepatic ducts ; (2) Without portal invasion; (3) Without third station lymph node metastasis; (4) Without liver or distant organ metastasis.Twenty-three patients had undergone this operation sucessfully.Most patients have high total bilirubin levels (more than 300 μmol/L) and have not received percutaneous transhepatic cholangial drainage or biliary drainage.The average operation time was 355 minutes,and average volume of blood loss during operation was 350 ml.The total survival rate was 65.2％.One-year tumour free survival rate was 95.7％ (22/23),and three-year tumor free survival rate was 7/15.The results indicated that dumbbell type radical resection was feasible for hilar cholangiocarcinoam of Bismuth Ⅱ and Bismuth Ⅲ with tumor limited in left or right hepatic ducts. Key words: Cholangiocarcinoma, hilar; Radical resection ; Recurrence ; Efficacy