Surgical techniques in the radical resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma / 中华消化外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Hilar cholangiocarcinoma remains a formi-dable challenge to hepatopancreatobiliary surgeons since the reported resection of a primary cancer originating at the hepatic duct confluence by Brown and Myers in 1954. Emerging evidence has indicated that aggressive surgery with a curative resection offers a better option for long-term survival compared with conservative therapy. Liver transplantation has also been considered as a management opportunity for the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma. However, the survival rate has been poor due to the high proportion of disease recurrence. This review highlights recent techniques in hilar cholangiocarcinoma resec-tion, with special attention to the management of the resection margin, clinical skills of liver resection, lymph node clearance, and portal vein or hepatic artery resection or reconstruction. In addition, technical advances have been proposed in hepatopan-creatoduodenectomy and liver transplantation for hilar cholangio-carcinoma treatment. In the current hepatic procedures, promis-ing survival outcomes have been obtained in patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma, exhibiting a decreased operative mortality and a steady improvement in long-term survival. Overall, the correct clinical strategy and appropriate surgical techniques may provide an increased chance to cure patients with hilar cholan-giocarcinoma.