A case series of hilar cholangiocarcinoma: A single surgeon experience over 20-years

OBJECTIVE: To report our experience in the surgical management of hilar cholangiocarcinoma in a nontransplant center. METHODS: We reviewed the medical charts of patients who underwent surgical resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma from 1996 to 2016. The preoperative workup as well as the operative techniques were presented. The postoperative mortality and morbidity were detailed with particular emphasis on long survivals. RESULTS: Forty patients met our inclusion criteria,22 patients (55%) had surgical resection with curative intent. Thirty-day postoperative mortality occurred in three cases (13.6%), four patients had grade II, III Clavien-Dindo complications and only one required re-laparotomy (18%). The median follow up duration was 43.4 months. CONCLUSION: Hilar cholangiocarcinoma is a rare disease with complete surgical resection presenting the best chance of cure. In addition to the free resection margins, lymph node involvement and the histological type are the most significant factors of prognosis. Histologic type such as primary lymphoma and papillary carcinoma are associated with better survival outcomes. Portal vein embolization should be considered if extended right hepatectomy is contemplated.