Major hepatic resections for Klatskin tumor

Between January 1988 and December 1996, 17 patients underwent resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma, The operative procedure was resection of bilateral hepatic ducts and common bile duct with limphectomy combined with hepatectomy on the side of cancer extension. local excision of the tumor was performed in 3 cases. The caudate lobe was removed in 12 cases. According to the classification of Bismuth there were 2 type I, 5 type II and 10 type III. Curative resection was achieved in 15 cases. There was no operative mortality and the morbility rate was 52%. Overall survival rate at I, 3 and 5-year was 47%, 21.5% and 14.5% respectively. Perineural invasion, caudate lobe involvement and resection margins infiltration significantly correlate with poor prognosis. Major hepatic resection for Klatskin tumor can be performed with low mortality and morbility rates. Resection of caudate lobe improve the radicality of surgery.