The international surgical journal with global reach

This is the Scientific Surgery Archive, which contains all randomized clinical trials in surgery that have been identified by searching the top 50 English language medical journal issues since January 1998. Compiled by Jonothan J. Earnshaw, former Editor-in-Chief, BJS

Surgical resection for Bismuth type IV perihilar cholangiocarcinoma. BJS 2018; 105: 829-838.

Published: 10th May 2017

Authors: T. Ebata, T. Mizuno, Y. Yokoyama, T. Igami, G. Sugawara, M. Nagino et al.

Background

Bismuth type IV perihilar cholangiocarcinoma has traditionally been categorized as unresectable disease. The aim of this study was to review experience with a resection‐based strategy in patients who have type IV perihilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Method

Medical records of consecutive patients with a diagnosis of type IV perihilar cholangiocarcinoma between 2006 and 2015 were reviewed retrospectively. Primary outcomes assessed were surgical results and long‐term survival.

Results

Of the 332 patients with type IV tumour, 216 (65·1 per cent) underwent resection. Left hepatic trisectionectomy was the most common procedure (112 patients). Combined vascular resection was performed in 131 patients. Median duration of operation was 607 (range 356–1045) min, and blood loss was 1357 (209–10 349) ml. Complications of Clavien–Dindo grade III or more developed in 90 patients (41·7 per cent) and four (1·9 per cent) died from complications within 90 days. Survival rates were better for the 216 patients whose tumours were resected than for the 116 patients with unresected tumours (32·8 versus 1·5 per cent at 5 years; P < 0·001). Patients with pN0 M0 disease after resection had a favourable 5‐year survival rate of 53 per cent. Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage, blood transfusion, lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis were identified as independent negative prognostic factors for survival.

Conclusion

Although resection for type IV tumour is technically demanding with high morbidity, it can be performed with low mortality and offers better survival probability in selected patients.

Full text