title: Surgical resection for cholangiocarcinoma involving the confluence of the major hepatic ducts.
abstract: In the 5-year period, ending October 1986, 15 patients underwent resection for cholangiocarcinoma involving the confluence of the right and left hepatic ducts. The operative mortality was 13%. Accurate pre-operative assessment is dependent on adequate cholangiography. Intra-operative use of frozen section is important to be certain of histological clearance above and below the tumour. Hepatic resection was necessary to adequately resect the malignancy. To date, the mean survival is 20 months, with two patients alive 5 years after resection. The length and quality of survival following this major surgical approach is such that patients whose age and condition would allow resection, should be considered for exploration and potentially curative surgery.
mesh_terms: D002759:Adenoma, Bile Duct / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001650:Bile Duct Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006498:Hepatectomy / Q000379:methods; D006500:Hepatic Duct, Common / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care