Role of preoperative optimization of the liver for resection in patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma type III.

BACKGROUND: Long-term survival after complete resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma remains disappointing. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the impact of liver optimization on postoperative outcome of hilar cholangiocarcinoma type III.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a retrospective, single-center analysis, outcomes in patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma type III who underwent resection after preoperative liver optimization (preoperative transhepatic biliary drainage [PTBD], bile replacement, and/or portal vein embolization [PVE]) were compared with nonoptimized controls.
RESULTS: Of 41 patients undergoing surgery, 38 patients undergoing curative intent procedures were identified, of whom 15 underwent preoperative optimization. After PTBD, direct bilirubin decreased from 218.0 ± 184.2 to 75.9 ± 42.7 μmol/L (P = 0.03), and there was a trend toward decreased AST and ALT levels. Overall, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 47.9 ± 9.1 and 41.9 ± 9.8%. The primary endpoint, 5-year survival after surgery, was not significantly different between groups. Preoperative jaundice was identified as an independent prognostic factor for poor outcome (hazard ratio [HR] 2.12, P = 0.02). Four patients (10.5%) without preoperative optimization died of liver failure within the first 30 days postsurgery, preceded in three cases by intra-abdominal abscesses. PTBD was associated with a lower rate of postoperative intra-abdominal abscesses; however this factor was not independently predictive of higher survival.
CONCLUSION: Preoperative optimization of the liver in hilar cholangiocarcinoma Type III reduced the incidence of intra-abdominal abscesses, but its impact on postoperative survival remains unclear.