OBJECTIVETo investigate the value of vascular resection and reconstruction in resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

METHODSThe clinical data of 17 patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma received resection in combination with vascular resection and reconstruction from January 2000 to September 2009 was retrospectively analyzed. Among the 17 patients, 6 underwent portal vein segmental resection and end-to-end anastomosis, 3 underwent portal vein wedge resection, 1 underwent hepatic artery ligature, 2 underwent hepatic artery segmental resection and end-to-end anastomosis, 1 underwent portal vein arterialization, 1 underwent portal vein wedge resection and hepatic artery ligature simultaneously, 2 underwent portal vein segmental resection and hepatic artery segmental resection and end-to-end anastomosis simultaneously, 1 underwent portal vein segmental resection and right hepatic artery and gastroduodenal artery end-to-end anastomosis simultaneously.

RESULTSFour patients died and the mortality was 4/17. Three patients died of renal dysfunction followed with multiple organ dysfunction and 1 patient died of sepsis shock. Among the 13 survive patients, 6 had a smooth postoperative recover and 7 developed complications: 3 had bile leakage, 1 had respiratory failure, 1 had cholangitis due to obstruction of U tube, 1 had abdominal infection and thrombosis in portal vein system and 1 had portal vein stenosis and liver abscess. Follow-up investigation showed that the median survival time was 18 months and four patients still alive.

CONCLUSIONSCombination of vascular resection and reconstruction in the resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma may help to improve the resection rate but still have a high postoperative risk. The complications of renal dysfunction should be alert during the postoperative observation. The procedure of hepatic arterial reconstruction may help to reduce postoperative morbidity.