Extension of Hepatic Resection Ameliorates Survival in Patients with Type IIIa or IIIb Klatskin Tumors Despite Surgical Complications

Background: Major hepatectomies for hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HC) are associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. We aimed to evaluate how and if surgical complications related to extended hepatectomies for HC type III and IV according to Bismuth-Corlette classification influence patients’ long-term survival. Methods: The files of all patients with major hepatectomy for HC and postoperative complications were retrospectively reviewed. Only patients with a complete postoperative follow up have be taken into account for the study. Postoperative morbidity and mortality, length of hospital stay (LOS) as well as overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS) were recorded. Results: Five patients have been found to respond to all inclusion criteria. Three of them required re-operation with one in hospital death. Two patients are still alive and two other died because of the tumor recurrence with a DFS of 36 and 49 months respectively. The actuarial mean OS for the group was 30 months and the actuarial DFS was 26 months. Conclusions: In patients with HC, extensive resections bring a clearly benefit in terms of survival, even though there is an increase in postoperative morbidity and mortality. However, postoperative complications, if managed susccesfully do not interfere with the long-term survival.

Keywords: hilar cholangicarcinoma, hepatectomy, postoperative complications, survival

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