Postoperative morbidity adversely impacts oncological prognosis after curative resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND: Postoperative morbidity after curative resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HCCA) is common; however, whether it has an impact on oncological prognosis is unknown. AIM: To evaluate the influence of postoperative morbidity on tumor recurrence and mortality after curative resection for HCCA. METHODS: Patients with recently diagnosed HCCA who had undergone curative resection between January 2010 and December 2017 at The First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University in China were enrolled. The independent risk factors for morbidity in the 30 d after surgery were investigated, and links between postoperative morbidity and patient characteristics and outcomes were assessed. Postoperative morbidities were divided into five grades based on the Clavien-Dindo classification, and major morbidities were defined as Clavien-Dindo ≥ 3. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to evaluate the risk factors for recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Postoperative morbidity occurred in 146 out of 239 patients (61.1%). Multivariate logistic regression revealed that cirrhosis, intraoperative blood loss > 500 mL, diabetes mellitus, and obesity were independent risk factors. Postoperative morbidity was associated with decreased OS and RFS (OS: 18.0 mo vs 31.0 mo, respectively, P = 0.003; RFS: 16.0 mo vs 26.0 mo, respectively, P = 0.002). Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that postoperative morbidity was independently associated with decreased OS [hazard ratios (HR): 1.557, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.119-2.167, P = 0.009] and RFS (HR: 1.535, 95%CI: 1.117-2.108, P = 0.008). Moreover, major morbidity was independently associated with decreased OS (HR: 2.175; 95%CI: 1.470-3.216, P < 0.001) and RFS (HR: 2.054; 95%CI: 1.400-3.014, P < 0.001) after curative resection for HCCA. CONCLUSION: Postoperative morbidity (especially major morbidity) may be an independent risk factor for unfavorable prognosis in HCCA patients following curative resection.