Problems in radical resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma

Abstract

Currently, radical resection offers hilar cholangiocarcinoma patients the only chance for cure and long-term survival. Preoperative biliary drainage is necessary to reduce the risk of liver failure when total bilirubin levels are greater than 300 μmol/L, especially in patients who are about to receive hemihepatectomy or extended hemihepatectomy. Caudate lobectomy (segment I) should be performed as an elemental procedure for radical resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma. For patients with Bismuth type Ⅲor Ⅳ, extended hemihepatectomy combined with caudate lobectomy, and if necessary, preoperative portal vein embolization, vascular resection and reconstruction, is needed to achieve tumor-free margins. Segment Ⅰ, Ⅳ,Ⅴ and Ⅷ resection is recommended to prevent postoperative liver dys-function if the volume of the remaining segments is insufficient. Resection of segment Ⅳ b and partial Ⅴ segment combined with segment Ⅰ can lessen the surgical trauma, and this is beneficial to most patients with Bismuth type Ⅱ and some Chinese patients with Bismuth type Ⅲor Ⅳ. Resection of lymph nodes 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12 and 13 is considered to be essential for radical resec-tion of hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy may prolong the long-time survival after resection. Key words: Cholangiocarcinoma, hilar; Surgical procedures, operative; Therapy