Hepatectomy with Regional Lymphadenectomy for Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma

Objective To assess the outcome of hepatectomy with regional lymphadenectomy for hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Methods The clinical data of 60 patients who underwent radical resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma from January 1990 to December 2004 were analyzed retrospectively. All patients were divided into two groups: group A underwent hepatectomy (n=38) and group B did not receive hepatectomy (n=22). All patients underwent extrahepatic bile duct resection and regional lymphadenectomy. Results The postoperative morbidity and mortality in group A and B were 31.58% , 5.26% and 9.09%, 4.55% respectively. There was significant difference in terms of postoperative morbidity between two groups (P0.05),but not in terms of mortality(P0.05). The 1-,2- and 3-year overall survival rates in group A and group B were 84.21%,60.53%, 39.47% and 72.73%, 31.82%,13.64% respectively. There were significant difference in survival rates between two groups of the 2- and 3-year survival (P0.05). Conclusions Hepatectomy with regional lymphadenectomy for hilar cholangiocarcinoma are critical to improve the survival. Skeletonization of the hepatoduodenal ligament should be comprised by any means in the procedure.