Long-term outcome of extended hemihepatectomy for hilar bile duct cancer with no mortality and high survival rate.
OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate our strategy for hilar bile duct cancer and to elucidate prognostic factors and the surgeon's role in long-term survival.


BACKGROUND
Extended hemihepatectomy is recognized as a curative treatment of hilar bile duct cancer but is not always safe because of the risk of postoperative liver failure. A safe and beneficial strategy is required.


METHODS
Fifty-eight consecutive major hepatectomies for hilar bile duct cancer were reviewed retrospectively. Appropriate preoperative treatments, biliary drainage, and portal embolization were performed before major hepatectomies. The short- and long-term results of our strategy are presented and analyzed.


RESULTS
Biliary drainage and portal embolization were performed in 39 patients (67.2%) and 31 patients (53.4%), respectively. Major hepatectomies comprised 27 extended right and 22 extended left hemihepatectomies and 9 hepatoduodenopancreatectomies. Operative morbidity and mortality rates were 43% and 0%, respectively. There was no postoperative liver failure. The overall 5-year survival rate was 40%. Univariate analysis showed that residual tumor status, lymph node involvement, and perineural invasion were associated with patients' long-term survival. A surgical margin over 5 mm resulted in better long-term survival. The delay resulting from preoperative treatment was not detrimental to long-term survival. Multivariate analysis showed that lymph node involvement was the only prognostic factor.


CONCLUSIONS
Our strategy, which includes preoperative biliary drainage and portal embolization, led to a reduction in the risks associated with major hepatectomy for hilar bile duct cancer, and resulted in zero mortality. Surgeons should aim at complete clearance of the tumor with an adequate surgical margin to ensure optimal long-term survival.
Seyama
Yasuji
Y
Hepato-Biliary Pancreatic Surgery Division, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan.
Kubota
Keiichi
K
Sano
Keiji
K
Noie
Tamaki
T
Takayama
Tadatoshi
T
Kosuge
Tomoo
T
Makuuchi
Masatoshi
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001650:Bile Duct Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D001653:Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006498:Hepatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D017093:Liver Failure / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome