Impact of Medicaid Expansion on the Treatment and Outcomes of Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: The Affordable Care Act increased insurance coverage for patients residing in states that expanded Medicaid coverage, but its impact on the outcomes of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is not clear. Therefore, we examine the impact of Medicaid expansion (ME) on access to treatment and outcomes of ICC. METHODS: We queried the National Cancer Database (NCDB) data for patients with a diagnosis of ICC (2010-2018). Difference-in-difference (DID) analysis was performed to assess the impact of January 2014 ME on curative-intent surgical resection, multimodal therapy, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, 30-day mortality, and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Of the 2150 patients included in the study,1574 (73.2%) and 576 (26.8%) patients lived in non-ME and ME states, respectively. On adjusted DID, ME was independently associated with receipt of curative-intent surgical resection (DID coefficient: 0.05, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.04-0.06, p = 0.002) and multimodal therapy (DID coefficient: 0.08, 95% CI: 0.06-0.10, p = 0.004). In addition, ME was associated with improved OS in ME states (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.62-0.87, p = 0.001) but not in non-ME states (HR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.80-1.12, p = 0.536). CONCLUSION: ME status consistently predicted increased utilization of care processes that improved ICC outcomes, including greater rates of curative-intent surgery and multimodal therapy.

A National Assessment of T2 Staging for Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma and the Poor Prognosis Associated with Multifocality.

BACKGROUND: T2 intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is defined as a solitary tumors with vascular invasion or multifocal tumors including satellite lesions, multiple lesions, and intrahepatic metastases. This study aimed to evaluate the prognosis associated with multifocal tumors. METHODS: The National Cancer Database was queried from 2004 to 2017 for patients with non-metastatic ICC. The patients were grouped based on T2 staging, multifocality, and lymph node involvement. RESULTS: The study enrolled and classified 4887 patients into clinical (c) stage groups as follows: 15.2% with solitary T2N0 (sT2N0) tumors, 21.3% with multifocal T2N0 (mT2N0) tumors, and 63.5% with node-positive (TxN1) disease. Patients with (c)sT2N0 tumors had higher rates of surgical resection than those with (c)mT2N0 or (c)TxN1 disease (33.5% vs 19.7% vs 15.0%; p < 0.01). Median overall survival (OS) was better for the patients with (c)sT2N0 tumors than for those with multifocal and node-positive disease (15.4 vs 10.4 vs 10.4 months; p < 0.01). On multivariate analysis, (c)sT2N0 tumors were associated with better OS than (c)mT2N0 tumors [hazard ratio (HR), 1.31; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.17-1.46; p < 0.01] or (c)TxN1 disease (HR,1.41; 95% CI 1.28-1.56; p < 0.01). In a subset analysis based on pathologic (p) staging of patients who underwent surgical resection with regional lymphadenectomy, multivariate analysis demonstrated that (p)sT2N0 tumors were associated with better OS than (p)mT2N0 tumors (HR,1.40; 95% CI 1.03-1.92; p = 0.03) or (p)TxN1 disease (HR, 2.05; 95% CI 1.62-2.58; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Multifocal T2N0 ICC is associated with poor OS and has a disparate prognosis compared with solitary T2N0 disease, even among patients who undergo resection. Future staging criteria should account for the poor outcomes associated with multifocal ICC.

Assessment of the Outcomes of Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma After Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Microwave Ablation Based on Albumin-Bilirubin Grade.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade could be used to predict the outcomes of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) who underwent ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board, and the requirement for informed consent was waived. We studied 52 treatment-naïve patients with 74 ICC lesions according to the Milan criteria who subsequently underwent MWA from April 2011 to March 2018. Overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were compared in groups classified by Child-Pugh score and ALBI grade, which were statistically analyzed with the log-rank test. Cox proportional hazard regression analyses were used to determine the prognostic factors for survival in patients with ICC. RESULTS: The median follow-up time was 21.2 months (3.2-78.7 months). Seventeen patients died during this period. After MWA, the cumulative 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates were 87.4%, 51.4%, and 35.2%, respectively, and the cumulative 1-, 3-, and 5-year RFS rates were 68.9%, 56.9%, and 56.9%, respectively. The major complication rate was 3.8% (2/52). Stratified according to ALBI grade, the cumulative 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates were 95.5%, 72.4%, and 72.4% for patients with ALBI grade 1 and 62.5%, 40.6%, and 36.3% for patients with ALBI grade 2, respectively, showing a significant difference (P = 0.006). Multivariate analysis results showed that older age (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.67, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.11-2.82; P = 0.002), tumor size ≥ 3 cm in diameter (HR: 11.33, CI: 2.24-34.52; P = 0.021) and ALBI grade (HR: 8.23, CI: 1.58-58.00; P = 0.004) may be predictors of poor OS. CONCLUSION: ALBI grade was validated as a significant biomarker for predicting survival in ICC patients within the Milan criteria who underwent MWA.

Peripheral hepatojejunostomy: a last resort palliative solution in Greece during the economic crisis.

The geographical distribution of Greece and the growing proportion of uninsured patients make imperative the need for effective and efficient palliative solutions regarding obstructive jaundice due to hepatic malignancy, while repeated endoscopic interventions and all associated materials are either not accessible to the whole population or not even available on a daily basis due to the economic crisis and the difficulties on the hospital supply. On this basis, palliative hepatojejunostomy, introduced more than 50 years ago, could be revisited in the Greek reality in very selected cases and under these special circumstances. We report on two patients with locally advanced hilar cholangiocarcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, respectively, who were treated with a combination of double hepaticojejunostomy with peripheral hepatojejunostomy or peripheral hepatoejunostomy alone, respectively. Both patients experienced an adequate decompression of the biliary tract over more than a year. Palliative hepatojejunostomy could be an ultimate solution for selected patients and circumstances in Greece during the economic crisis.

Robotic radical resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma: perioperative and long-term outcomes of an initial series.

BACKGROUND: Radical resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HCa) is one of the most challenging abdominal procedures. Robotic-assisted approach is gaining popularity in hepatobiliary surgery but scarcely tried in the management of HCa. We herein report our initial experience of robotic radical resection for HCa. METHODS: Between May 2009 and October 2012, 10 patients underwent fully robotic-assisted radical resection for HCa in a single institute. The perioperative and long-term outcomes were analyzed and compared with a contemporaneous 32 patients undergoing traditional open surgery. RESULTS: The 10 patients presented one of Bismuth-Corlette type II, four of IIIa, one of IIIb and four of IV. There was no significant clinicopathological disparity between the robotic and open groups. The robotic radical resection involves hemihepatectomy plus caudate lobectomy or trisectionectomy, extrahepatic bile duct resection, radical lymphadenectomy and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. No conversion to laparotomy occurred. Robotic resection compared unfavorably to traditional open resection in operative time (703 ± 62 vs. 475 ± 121 min, p < 0.001) and morbidity [90 (9/10) vs. 50 %, p = 0.031]. No significant difference was found in blood loss, mortality and postoperative hospital stay. Major complications (≥Clavien-Dindo III) occurred in three patients of robotic group. One patient died of posthepatectomy liver failure on postoperative day 18. The hospital expenditure was much higher in robotic group (USD 27,427 ± 21,316 vs. 15,282 ± 5957, p = 0.018). The tumor recurrence-free survival was inferior in robotic group (p = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS: Fully robotic-assisted radical resection for HCa is technically achievable in experienced hands and should be limited to highly selective patients. Our current results do not support continued practice of robotic surgery for HCa, until significant technical and instrumental refinements are demonstrated.

Biliary stenting for unresectable cholangiocarcinoma: A population-based study of long-term outcomes and hospital costs in Taiwan.

Few studies have compared percutaneous biliary stenting (PBS) and endoscopic biliary stenting (EBS) in terms of long-term effects on cholangiocarcinoma (CC), and few have systematically evaluated outcome associations in Taiwan. This study aimed to compare long-term outcomes between two treatments for unresectable CC: PBS and EBS. After propensity score matching (PSM) to reduce the effect of selection bias, 1002 CC patients were included in this analysis: 501 in the PBS group and 501 in the EBS group. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to construct the survival curve for all CC patients, and the Cox proportional hazards model was used for multivariate assessment of outcome predictors. After PSM, group comparisons revealed a significantly longer length of stay in the PBS group compared to the EBS group (25 days vs. 19 days, respectively; p < 0.001). Hospital costs were also significantly higher in the PBS group than in the EBS group (US$126,575 vs. US$89,326, respectively; p < 0.001). The median survival time was 3.7 months in all CC patients, 3.5 months in the PBS group, and 4.0 months in the EBS group. The 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year survival rates were 17.6%, 6.1%, and 3.2% in all CC patients; 16.6%, 4.8%, and 3.2% in the PBS group; and 18.6%, 7.27%, and 3% in the EBS group, respectively. The most important predictor of survival is extrahepatic CC. Medical professionals and healthcare providers should carefully consider the use of EBS for initial treatment of obstructive jaundice in patients with unresectable CC.

Intraoperative assessment of the resectability of hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Major hepatectomy combined with extrahepatic bile duct resection has gained acceptance as a standard radical procedure for hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Here, we describe an operative technique, "taping of the right hepatic artery behind Calot's triangle", for assessing the resectability of hilar lesions for which left-sided hepatectomy is planned. Briefly, after retracting the gall-bladder anteriorly, the lateral peritoneum of the hepatoduodenal ligament is incised longitudinally (3-4cm in length) behind Calot's triangle and just to the left of the fissure of Ganz. By dividing the adipose tissue, the distal portion of the right hepatic artery is identified and secured with tape. Any suspicious tissues around the right hepatic artery should be submitted to frozen-section analysis. If no cancer cells were found, the planned resection goes ahead. Conversely, if they were found, the resection should be abandoned. Since 2003, 14 patients for whom left-sided hepatectomy was planned for hilar cholangio-carcinoma involvement, underwent this technique. Three patients were judged to have irresectable tumors and the planned resection could be avoided. In conclusion, this simple technique, isolation of the right hepatic artery behind Calot's triangle before starting resection, should be applied to all hilar malignancies when a left-sided hepatectomy is planned.

Multicentric evaluation of a clinical and prognostic scoring system predictive of survival after resection of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a clinical and prognostic scoring system predictive of survival after resection of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas (ICC). PATIENTS: Two hundred and one consecutive ICC patients (83 from Essen, Germany, 54 from New York, USA and 64 from Chiba, Japan). The scoring systems were developed utilizing the data set from Essen University and then applied to the data sets from Mount Sinai Medical Center and Chiba University for validation. Eighteen potential prognostic factors were evaluated. Statistical analysis included multivariable regression analyses with the Cox proportional hazard model, power analysis, internal validation with structural equation modelling bootstrapping and external validation. The prognostic scoring model was based mainly in pathological and demographical variables, whereas the clinical scoring model was based mainly in radiological and demographical variables. RESULTS: Gender (P=0.0086), UICC stage (P=0.0140) and R-class (P=0.0016) were predictive of survival for the prognostic scoring model, while gender (P=0.0023), CA 19-9 levels (P=0.0153) and macrovascular invasion (P=0.0067) were predictive of survival for the clinical scoring model. Prognostic points were assigned as follows: female:male=1:2 points, UICC (I-II):UICC (III-IV)=1:2 points and R0:R1=1:2 points. Clinical points were allocated as follows: female:male=1:2 points, CA 19-9 (<100 U/ml):CA 19-9 (> or =100 U/ml)=1:2 points and no macrovascular invasion:macrovascular invasion=1:2 points. Prognostic groups with 3-4, 5 and 6 points (P=0.000001) and clinical groups with 3-4 and 5-6 points (P=0.0103) achieved statistically significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: We propose a clinical and prognostic scoring system predictive of long-term survival after surgical resections for ICC.

Therapeutic approach to the malignant tumors of the biliary tract.

Cholangiocarcinomas (CCA) are malignant tumors that originate in the cholangiocytes, occur at any level of the biliary tract, are very aggressive and have a 5-year survival rate of 7-8%. Their diagnosis is late and difficult, and the prognosis is very poor. The only curative treatment of these tumors is the complete surgical resection. Signs of unresectability can be detected in most patients with CCA when establishing the diagnosis. Thus, only certain palliative measures can be employed in most cases. The ideal palliative method should be minimally invasive, accompanied by few complications, should offer an increased quality of life, require reduced hospitalization and the lowest costs. The palliative treatment of the obstructive jaundice may be achieved by means of surgical bypass, endoscopic insertion of biliary stents, percutaneous stents, transhepatic stents, photodynamic therapy and/or radio-chemotherapy.

R0 liver resections for primary malignant liver tumors in the noncirrhotic liver: a diagnosis-related analysis.

BACKGROUND: Primary liver cancer constitutes an increasingly malignancy in the Western world and one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare long-term outcomes after R0 resections in noncirrhotic livers for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). METHODS: Between April 1998 and May 2006 a total of 102 patients with either ICC (n = 41, group 1) or HCC (n = 61, group 2) in the absence of cirrhosis underwent curative liver resection in our department. Demographic characteristics, operative details, perioperative complications, pathologic findings, tumor recurrence and survival were analyzed. RESULTS: Gender (P = 0.007), extent of liver resection (P = 0.036), additional surgical procedures (P < 0.001) and operative morbidity (P = 0.018) differed among the two groups. Following resection, after a median follow-up of 28 months, the calculated 5-year survival was 44% and 40% for ICC and HCC, respectively (P = 0.38). The corresponding recurrence-free survival was 25% for both ICC and HCC (P = 0.66). UICC stage was found to predict overall and recurrence-free survival in both types of tumors. Multifocality in the case of ICC, and tumor differentiation and vascular invasion in the case of HCC, were predictive factors for overall and recurrence-free survival, respectively. In multivariable analyses, vascular invasion for HCC was predictive for overall and recurrence-free survival, whereas in the case of ICC significant differences were detected in the recurrence analysis for multifocality and UICC stage. CONCLUSIONS: R0 resections for both ICC and HCC result to similar long-term outcomes, which are characterized by good overall and acceptable recurrence-free survival rates.

Preoperative assessment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma by dual-modality PET/CT.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the accuracy of (18)F-FDG PET/CT in staging hilar cholangiocarcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From June 2004 to December 2007, patients evaluated for surgical treatment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma were entered into a prospective database. Dual modality (18)F-FDG PET/CT was performed before surgery. The report was reviewed with comparison to the operative and pathological results in each case for tumour-node-metastasis staging. RESULTS: Seventeen patients (6 women, 11 men) of a median age of 62 years were included in the study. Radical tumour resection was performed on seven patients. Ten patients underwent surgical exploration. The sensitivity of PET/CT in detecting primary tumour was found to be 58.8% (25% in T2 tumour, 70% in T3 tumour, 66.7% in T4 tumour). The sensitivity/specificity of PET/CT in detecting lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis were 41.7%/80% and 55.6%/87.5%, respectively. Positive (18)F-FDG uptake in the bile duct was found to be associated with surgical non-resectability (P = 0.05). CONCLUSION: Dual-modality PET/CT imaging was found to have a high specificity in detection of lymph node and distant metastasis in hilar cholangiocarcinoma, with a limited value in correct judgement of surgical resectability for tumours in stadium UICC I-III.

Preoperative assessment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma by multidetector row computed tomography.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Hilar cholangiocarcinoma is the one of the most difficult carcinomas to diagnose because of the localization of the main tumor at the hepatic hilus, and because of the complex anatomy of the biliary, artery, and portal systems. To perform a curative operation, it is important to evaluate the extent of carcinoma and the resectability. Hilar cholangiocarcinoma often extends along the axis of the bile duct. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogaraphy (PTC) and/or endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) are usually performed to diagnose the extent of the hilar cholangiocarcinoma. However, computed tomography (CT) was thought not to be useful because its resolution is poor. Now that multidetector row CT (MDCT) and high-performance imaging systems are available, the diagnostic strategy for hilar cholangiocarcinoma has changed. METHODS: In this study, we analyzed the preoperative diagnostic imaging of 24 consecutive patients whose hilar cholangiocarcinoma was confirmed by histopathological examination. All patients were submitted to 16-channel MDCT, except for those with an allergy to iodine contrast medium. The data obtained from MDCT were analyzed and checked by both radiologists and surgeons, using multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) images. RESULTS: The accuracy of diagnosis of horizontal spreading was 80.9% and that of vertical spreading was 100%. However, the sensitivity for lymph node metastasis was insufficient. Based on the data from MDCT and other examinations, all patients underwent surgery. Curative operation was performed in 15 patients (62.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that 16-channel MDCT is reliable for the diagnosis of hilar cholangiocarcinoma, especially prior to bile duct drainage. Thus, it is important to perform MDCT when patients with obstructive jaundice are encountered.

Imaging modality of three-dimensional CT in caudate cholangioma: assessment for resectability.

Conventional preoperative imaging has limited modality and accuracy in primary intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma (ICC) in the caudate lobe (CL). Furthermore, estimating resectability and tumor extension from preoperative imaging is inaccurate. A 60-year-old patient with ICC administrated in our institution requested a second opinion. His lesion was judged unresectable hilar cholangiocellular carcinoma because it had spread widely to the bilateral lobe of the liver as shown by preoperative imaging studies. The irregular shaped mass was located in the para-caval portion of the CL and the size as shown by computed tomography (CT) was 40mm in diameter. The tumor extended close to the common hepatic artery and the right portal branch was involved. The left lobe showed marked atrophy and intrahepatic biliary duct (IHBD) dilatation of the whole liver was observed. The tumor was mainly located in the proximal side of the left lobe and every IHBD were interrupted in the porta hepatis by magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiography. However, the resectability of this tumor could not be determined from these imaging studies. Three-dimensional imaging by multidetector CT (3D-CT) revealed that the tumor involved the left hepatic artery and portal branch whereas the right hepatic artery was intact. The patient was successfully treated in surgery by extending the left lobectomy with en bloc caudate lobectomy. The 3D-CT imaging study was helpful in assessing the resectability in ICC of CL.

Feasibility of morphologic assessment of vascular and biliary anatomy in pediatric liver transplantation: all-in-one protocol with breath-hold magnetic resonance.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Noninvasive imaging for children with liver transplantation for possible sites of vascular and biliary complication remains a challenge. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging as a comprehensive noninvasive test for the above purpose. METHODS: Thirteen children (age, 8-16 years) with biliary atresia and who received liver transplantation underwent a comprehensive MR study including MR cholangiography and gadolinium-enhanced MR angiography. Images were interpreted by 3 radiologists for liver parenchymal abnormalities; definition of hepatic arterial and venous, portal venous, and biliary anatomy; and detection of any complications. Findings were correlated with surgical records. Conventional angiography and percutaneous cholangiography were obtained for correlation in 2 patients. Confidence level scores (1-5) for depiction of anatomy were given for source, multiplanar, and 3-dimensional images. RESULTS: Hepatic artery anastomosis was visualized in 12 patients (92%) and the intrahepatic arteries were demonstrated in 10 (77%). The portal, hepatic venous, and biliary anastomoses were clearly demonstrated in all patients. Stenosis of hepatic artery anastomosis and multiple biliary strictures were detected in 1 patient each and confirmed by conventional imaging. High confidence scores (higher than 4) were obtained for all kinds of MR images. CONCLUSIONS: Comprehensive MR imaging can be used in long-term follow-up of pediatric liver transplant recipients for depiction of hepatic structures and possible complications.

Prospective study of the effectiveness of percutaneous transhepatic photodynamic therapy for advanced bile duct cancer and the role of intraductal ultrasonography in response assessment.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: We evaluated the therapeutic effects of percutaneous transhepatic photodynamic therapy (PDT) in patients with advanced bile duct cancer. The utility of intraductal ultrasonography (IDUS) for the assessment of responses and for regular follow up after PDT was also examined. METHODS: Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) was initiated before PDT. Following dilation and maturation of the PTBD tract, percutaneous PDT was performed. Intraluminal photoactivation was carried out using percutaneous cholangioscopy 2 days after intravenous application of a hematoporphyrin derivative. All patients were additionally provided with percutaneous bile duct drainage catheters after PDT. IDUS was conducted monthly to measure the thickness of the tumor mass before and after PDT. RESULTS: 24 patients with advanced cholangiocarcinomas (Bismuth IIIa, n = 4; IIIb, n = 10; IV, n = 10) were treated with PDT. At 3 months after PDT, the mean thickness of the tumor mass had decreased from 8.7 +/- 3.7 mm to 5.8 +/- 2.0 mm (P < 0.01). At 4 months after PDT, the thickness of the mass had increased to 7.0 +/- 3.7 mm. Quality of life indices improved dramatically and remained stable 1 month after PDT; the Karnofsky index increased from 39.1 +/- 11.36 to 58.2 +/- 22.72 points (P = 0.003). The 30-day mortality rate was 0 %, and the median survival time was 558 +/- 178.8 days (current range 62 - 810 days). CONCLUSIONS: PDT using percutaneous cholangioscopy is safe and effective for advanced hilar cholangiocarcinoma, and seems to prolong survival. IDUS is useful for evaluating changes in the thickness of the tumor mass after PDT.

Bile duct strictures after hepatobiliary surgery: assessment with MR cholangiography.

PURPOSE: To establish the accuracy of magnetic resonance (MR) cholangiography for diagnosis of postsurgical bile duct strictures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-seven patients suspected of having bile duct strictures after liver transplantation (n = 54), cholecystectomy (n = 8), hepatic resection (n = 4), or pancreaticoduodenectomy (n = 1) underwent MR cholangiography. Thick-slab single-shot fast spin-echo (repetition time msec/echo time msec, 4,500/940) imaging was performed in the coronal through sagittal planes with rotation in 10 degrees increments, and contiguous thin-section images were obtained in the transverse and the optimal coronal oblique planes by using half-Fourier rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement (1,900/96). Three blinded observers independently reviewed the MR images and recorded diagnostic features including presence of biliary stricture by using a five-point confidence scale. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to measure the accuracy of MR cholangiography. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated. Final diagnosis was established at surgery (n = 29) and direct cholangiography (23 of 29) or at direct cholangiography, liver biopsy, and/or serial liver function tests (n = 38). RESULTS: Thirty-three of 67 patients had strictures confirmed with the reference standard. MR cholangiography enabled correct diagnosis and depicted the site of strictures in all cases. Findings of stricture at MR cholangiography were false-positive in five patients with moderate duct dilatation and caliber change at the level of the anastomosis. Mean accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were 94%, 97%, 74%, 86%, and 96%, respectively. CONCLUSION: MR cholangiography is as sensitive as direct cholangiography for the assessment of bile duct strictures after hepatobiliary surgery but may lead to overestimation of the importance of duct dilatation and caliber change.

Incidence and management of bile leakage after hepatic resection for malignant hepatic tumors.

BACKGROUND: Bile leakage is one of the frequent and disturbing complications of hepatic resection. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical records of the 363 patients who underwent hepatic resections without biliary reconstruction for hepatic cancers between January 1994 and June 2001 were reviewed. Postoperative bile leakage was defined as continuous drainage with a bilirubin concentration of 20 mg/dL or 1,500 mg/d lasting 2 days. Leakage that continued longer than 2 weeks or that required surgical intervention was defined as uncontrollable. Differences in incidence and frequency of uncontrollable leakage for the different types of hepatic resection, tumors, and underlying liver disease were investigated. Outcomes after treatment for uncontrollable bile leakage were also reviewed. RESULTS: Postoperative bile leakage occurred in 26 of 363 patients (7.2%). Although the incidence in patients with cholangiocellular carcinoma (3/9 [33%]) was higher (p = 0.03) than in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, rates of occurrence were similar among the different types of hepatic resection and underlying liver disease. Eight of the 26 patients (31%) had uncontrollable leakage. Two patients required reoperation to control leakage; one of these developed hepatic failure and died 2 months after surgery. Four patients underwent endoscopic nasobiliary drainage 21 to 34 days after hepatectomy, and the leakage resolved within 3 to 21 days. Fibrin glue sealing was effective in two patients whose leaking bile ducts were not connected to the common bile duct. CONCLUSIONS: Although meticulous surgical technique can minimize the risk of postoperative bile leakage, some instances of leakage are unavoidable. Nonsurgical treatments, such as nasobiliary drainage or fibrin glue sealing, are preferable to reoperation.

Cost comparison of endoscopic stenting vs surgical treatment for unresectable cholangiocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Total lifetime costs of endoscopic vs surgical treatment for obstructive jaundice due to cholangiocarcinoma are difficult to assess. The purpose of this study was to compare total costs in these two groups, including all treatment and retreatments. METHODS: This retrospective study identified patients with biopsy-proven cholangiocarcinoma treated this decade with either endoscopic biliary stenting or surgical biliary-enteric bypass with or without resection. Outcomes and hospital charges were recorded. Ten matched control patients were compared from each group. Costs included those for cost of repeat endoscopy in the endoscopic group and for the management of recurrent obstructive jaundice in the surgical group. RESULTS: The groups were similar in age and gender ratio. The surgical approach was frequently for cure; therefore, surgical patients were by and large at an earlier stage of their disease than those in the endoscopic group. Mean survival for the endoscopic group was 19 months vs 16.5 months for the surgical group. The median total lifetime cost for surgical therapy was $60,986 vs $24,251 for endoscopic therapy. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic therapy is an effective palliative therapy for unresectable cholangiocarcinoma. Endoscopic therapy for this entity costs significantly less than surgical treatment. The cost benefit of endoscopic stenting over standard surgical bypass in the management of patients with unresectable cholangiocarcinoma, when considered along with its minimally invasive approach, makes this the procedure of choice for palliative therapy.