One hundred seven consecutive surgical resections for hilar cholangiocarcinoma of Bismuth types II, III, IV between 2001 and 2008

Many authors at high-volume centers all over the world have reported improved outcomes of hilar cholangiocarcinoma by several aggressive surgical approaches such as extended hepatic resection, combined vascular resection, and hepatopancreaticoduodenectomy in recent years. There has been great progress in the surgical treatment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma with these previous efforts by aggressive hepatobiliary surgeons. In particular, surgical techniques, diagnostic modalities, and perioperative management have been remarkably improved as compared with before. Herein we report the surgical outcome for both hilar cholangiocarcinoma of Bismuth types II, III, and IV and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma involving the hepatic duct confluence during the recent 8-year period between 2001 and 2008 at our institution, the Department of General Surgery at Chiba University. From our recent experienced results, it can be concluded that the surgical strategy for hilar cholangiocarcinoma has been improved remarkably, and major surgical hepatectomy can be done with relative safety, and these aggressive surgical approaches, including combined vascular resection, may be warranted for the surgical treatment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma. However, the adoption of new innovative therapeutic approaches might be required for further improvement of surgical outcome of hilar cholangiocarcinoma.