Principles of surgical resection in hilar cholangiocarcinoma

The aim of this article is to describe the surgical techniques for the treatment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma(HC).Resection with microscopically negative margin(R0) is the only way to cure patients with HC.Today,resection of the caudate lobe and part of segment Ⅳ,combined with a right or left hepatectomy,bile duct resection,lymphadenectomy of the hepatic hilum and sometimes vascular resection,is the standard surgical procedure for HC.Intraoperative frozen-section examination of proximal and distal biliary margins is necessary to confirm the suitability of resection.Although lymphadenectomy probably has little direct effect on survival,inaccurate staging information may influence post resection treatment recommendations.Aggressive venous and arterial resections should be undertaken in selected cases to achieve a R0 resection.The concept of "no-touch proposed" in 1999 by Neuhaus et al combine an extended right hepatectomy with systematic portal vein resection and caudate lobectomy avoiding hilar dissection and possible intraoperative microscopic dissemination of cancer cells.More recently minor liver resections have been proposed for treatment of HC.As the hilar bifurcation of the bile ducts is near to liver segments Ⅳ,Ⅴ and Ⅰ,adequate liver resection of these segments together with the bile ducts can result in cure.     

肝部分切除与肝十二指肠韧带骨髂化治疗肝门部胆管癌

Objective To summarize the surgical experience of partial hepatectomy with skeletonization of the hepatoduodenal ligament in the treatment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma.Methods Between Jan.1999 and Dec,2001,67 consecutive patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma underwent surgical exploration at the Second Military Medical University,Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital.The clinical data of these patients were reviewed.Results Of the 67 patients,65(97%) underwent surgical resection.Fourty-nine patients(73%) received curative resection:22 skeletonization resection(SR) and 27 SR combined with partial hepatectomy.In 16 patients(9%) with curative resection the tumor margin was histologically postive and the resection was therefore considered palliative.The tumors were classified according to Bismuth with SR was type Ⅱ(17cases),various types of partial hepatectomy with SR was type Ⅲ and type IV.Right lobectomy with right caudate lobectomy was indicated in type Ⅲ(6cases),left lobectomy with complete caudate lobectomy in type Ⅲb(15cases),right loobectomy with complete caudate lobectomy(3 cases),left lobectomy with complete caudate lobectomy(9 cases) and quadrate lobectomy(2 cases)in type IV.SR and left lobectomy with complete caudate lobectomy was successfully performed in 2 patients(3%) who had undergone palliative biliary resection and cholangiojejunostomy before.Eight patients(12%) had local resecton of the tumor with Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy reconstruction using intrahepatic stents.Two patients(3%) had palliative biliary drainage.Combined portal vein resection was performed in 13 patients(20%) and hepatic artery resection in 27 patients(40%) .Twenty-four atients(36%) had no postoperative complication,23 patients(34%) had minor complications only ,and the remaining 20 patients(30%) had major complications.Of the 20 patients with major complications,14 recovered,the remaining 6 patients died from hepatorenal failure with other organ failures,from myocardial infarction or from intraabdominal or gastrointestianl bleeding 7,12,14,42,57 or 89 days after surgery.The 30-day operative mortality was 4.5%.The mean survival of the patient with curative resecton was 16 months(range 1-32 months);for those undergong palliative resection mean survival was 7 months(range 1-14months).Conlusion Partial hepatectomy with SR for hilar cholangiocarcinoma can be performed with acceptable morbidity and mortality.For curative treatmet of hilar cholangiocarcinoma,caudate lobectomy is always recommended in Bismuth Ⅲ/IV.     

A case of curative resected hilar bile duct cancer with hepatic artery and portal vein reconstructions

The indication for surgical resection due to hilar bile duct cancer (BDC) with vessel reconstructions is still controversial. We report herein a successfully resected case due to hilar BDC with hepatic artery (HA) and portal vein (PV) reconstructions using autograft from a resected liver. A 57-year-old woman was diagnosed as hilar BDC, and computed tomography showed a tumor invaded left and common hepatic duct, right and left HA, and left main branch of PV. Because the extrahepatic area of right HA was free from the tumor, we performed left hepatectomy and caudate lobectomy with HA and PV reconstructions. We used auto left hepatic vein graft from the resected liver for PV reconstruction, because there was no appropriate size vein graft, e.g. inferior mesenteric vein. The patient is alive without any evidence of recurrence for 8 months after the surgery.     

Surgical strategy for bile duct cancer: Advances and current limitations

The aim of this review is to describe recent advances and topics in the surgical management of bile duct cancer. Radical resection with a microscopically negative margin (R0) is the only way to cure cholangiocarcinoma and is associated with marked survival advantages compared to margin-positive resections. Complete resection of the tumor is the surgeon's ultimate aim, and several advances in the surgical treatment for bile duct cancer have been made within the last two decades. Multidetector row computed tomography has emerged as an indispensable diagnostic modality for the precise preoperative evaluation of bile duct cancer, in terms of both longitudinal and vertical tumor invasion. Many meticulous operative procedures have been established, especially extended hepatectomy for hilar cholangiocarcinoma, to achieve a negative resection margin, which is the only prognostic factor under the control of the surgeon. A complete caudate lobectomy and resection of the inferior part of Couinaud's segment IV coupled with right or left hemihepatectomy has become the standard surgical procedure for hilar cholangiocarcinoma, and pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy is the first choice for distal bile duct cancer. Limited resection for middle bile duct cancer is indicated for only strictly selected cases. Preoperative treatments including biliary drainage and portal vein embolization are also indicated for only selected patients, especially jaundiced patients anticipating major hepatectomy. Liver transplantation seems ideal for complete resection of bile duct cancer, but the high recurrence rate and decreased patient survival after liver transplant preclude it from being considered standard treatment. Adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy have a potentially crucial role in prolonging survival and controlling local recurrence, but no definite regimen has been established to date. Further evidence is needed to fully define the role of liver transplantation and adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy.     

肝管汇合变异在肝门胆管癌手术中的价值

目的 :评价肝管汇合变异在肝门胆管癌治疗中的价值。 方法 :对2002年1月～2007年3月本院就诊的肝门胆管癌(或肝门部胆管癌)患者行术前磁共振胰胆管显影(MRCP)检查,发现存在左、右肝管汇合方式变异患者24例,其中16例评价有潜在手术切除可能的患者行手术探查,对该16例患者的资料进行回顾性分析。 结果 :16例患者术前MRCP检查发现的肝管汇合变异均经手术证实,MRCP诊断肝管汇合方式变异的准确性为100%;16例患者中右后叶支直接汇入左肝管7例(43.8%),呈\     

A case of unresectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma successfully treated by gemcitabine and S-1 combination chemotherapy

A 52-year-old male was presented with obstructive jaundice and liver dysfunction. He was diagnosed as hilar cholangiocarcinoma involving the confluence of the right and left hepatic duct and bifurcation of the main portal vein trunk. Swollen lymph nodes in the hepatoduodenal ligament were also detected. ERBD tubes were placed in each B2, 3, and 5 branch. GEM and S-1 combination chemotherapy was carried out for four months. As a reduction in the primary tumor and lymph nodes was observed on CT scan surgical exploration was conducted, and an extended left hepatectomy with partial resection of the portal vein and regional lymph node dissection was achieved. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient remained free of recurrence, 34 months after the original diagnosis was made, and 29 months after surgical resection. Thus, GEM and S-1 combination chemotherapy is one of the options for the management of advanced hilar cholangiocarcinoma.     

扩大肝切除术治疗Ⅲ至Ⅳ期肝门胆管癌的临床价值

目的 研究扩大肝切除术治疗Ⅲ至Ⅳ期肝门胆管癌的临床价值.方法 选取70例Ⅲ~Ⅳ期肝门胆管癌患者,根据治疗方式不同分为观察组和对照组,每组各35例.其中对照组采用局限肝切除术治疗,观察组采用扩大肝切除术治疗,比较两组患者的手术时间、术中出血量、住院时间、总胆红素、直接胆红素、丙氨酸转氨酶(ALT)、天冬氨酸转氨酶(AST)、根治性切除率、术后并发症发生率以及生存率.结果 观察组患者的手术时间明显长于对照组,术中出血量明显高于对照组,住院时间明显短于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P﹤0.01);治疗后,两组患者的总胆红素、直接胆红素、ALT及AST比较,差异均无统计学意义(P﹥0.05);观察组患者的根治性切除率(91.43%)明显高于对照组(65.71%),差异有统计学意义(P﹤0.01);观察组患者的3年生存率高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P﹤0.05).结论 扩大肝切除术治疗Ⅲ至Ⅳ期肝门胆管癌的临床疗效显著,可有效提高根治性切除率,延长患者生存时间,预后效果明显.     

联合肝叶切除治疗肝门部胆管癌的疗效分析

背景与目的：肝门部胆管癌(hilar cholangiocarcinoma,HC)侵袭途径广泛以及术后缺乏有效辅助治疗,目前患者获得治愈的惟一途径依然是手术根治性切除。术前可切除性评估、术前胆道引流、肝切除的范围及淋巴结清扫范围等问题一直是研究的热点。本文探讨联合肝叶切除治疗HC的临床经验及疗效。方法：回顾性分析昆明医科大学第一附属医院2007年1月—2013年10月行手术治疗的207例HC患者的临床及随访资料。结果：全组207例患者中,125例行根治性切除(R₀切除),R₀切除率为60.4%。联合肝叶切除156例,肝叶切除组获R0切除率70.5%;51例行单纯性切除,单纯性切除组获R₀切除率29.4%,两组比较R₀切除率差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。2例患者死于围手术期,术后主要并发症包括肝肾功能不全和胆漏。获得随访的172例中,102例行R₀切除的患者中位生存时间为45个月,术后1、3、5年累积生存率分别为96.1%、59.1%、17.2%,70例行R_1-2切除的患者中位生存时间为26个月,术后1、3年累积生存率分别为81.3%、19.2%,无5年存活患者。获得R₀切除患者术后生存率优于姑息性切除(R_1-2切除)患者,差异有统计学意义(χ²=39.121,P<0.01)。在联合肝叶切除组中获R₀切除患者术后1、3、5年生存率为97.8%、63.9%、18.0%,在单纯性切除组中获R₀切除患者术后1、3、5年生存率为83.3%、20.8%、8.3%,两组术后生存率差异有统计学意义(χ²=5.988,P=0.014)。结论：根治性切除是提高HC远期疗效的关键,联合肝叶切除及标准化淋巴结清扫可显著提高HC的根治性切除率及远期疗效。     

Hepatic resection in the treatment of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma

Proximal bile duct cancer poses a difficult surgical problem in hepatobiliary surgery because of its location, patterns of spread, and required extent of resection for complete excision. This article focuses on the anatomic and pathologic issues that are associated with proximal bile duct cancer and assesses the roles of partial hepatectomy and bile duct resection in the surgical management of this cancer. It is hoped that this article provides clinical evidence that supports hepatic resection as an essential and efficacious component of the surgical management of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma in selected patients.     

Ⅲ Ⅳ型肝门胆管癌扩大肝切除临床疗效分析*

目的:探讨扩大肝切除对Bismuth-Corlette Ⅲ、Ⅳ型肝门胆管癌的临床疗效。方法:回顾性分析蚌埠医学院第一附属医院2008年1 月至2015年5 月61例Bismuth-Corlette Ⅲ、Ⅳ型肝门部胆管癌患者的临床资料。其中扩大肝切除组行半肝及以上肝切除和（或）联合尾状叶切除术22例;局限肝切除组行肝门区不规则肝切除术39例。结果:扩大肝切除组患者相比局限肝切除组手术时间长、术中出血量多。扩大肝切除组患者并发症发生率低于局限肝切除组患者;扩大肝切除组无围手术期死亡患者,局限肝切除组有2 例围手术期死亡患者;扩大肝切除组R 0 切除21例,R 0 切除率为95.5%（21/ 22）,局限肝切除组R 0 切除20例,R 0 切除率为51.3%（20/ 39）,差异具有统计学意义（P < 0.05）;扩大肝切除组1、3、5 年生存率分别是77.27% 、36.36% 、13.64% ;局限肝切除组1、3、5 年生存率分别是69.23% 、20.51% 、1.64% ,差异具有统计学意义（P < 0.05）。 结论:Bismuth-Corlette Ⅲ、Ⅳ型肝门部胆管癌扩大肝切除可以有效提高患者的R 0 切除率和生存率,改善患者的预后。      

The impact of portal vein resection on outcomes for hilar cholangiocarcinoma: A multi-institutional analysis of 305 cases

BACKGROUND. Surgical strategy for hilar cholangiocarcinoma often includes hepatectomy, but the role of portal vein resection (PVR) remains controversial. In this study, the authors sought to identify factors associated with outcome after surgical management of hilar cholangiocarcinoma and examined the impact of PVR on survival.

METHODS:

Three hundred five patients who underwent curative‐intent surgery for hilar cholangiocarcinoma between 1984 and 2010 were identified from an international, multi‐institutional database. Clinicopathologic data were evaluated using univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS:

Most patients had hilar cholangiocarcinoma with tumors classified as T3/T4 (51.1%) and Bismuth‐Corlette type II/III (60.9%). Resection involved extrahepatic bile duct resection (EHBR) alone (26.6%); or hepatectomy and EHBR without PVR (56.7%); or combined hepatectomy, EHBR, and PVR (16.7%). Negative resection (R0) margin status was higher among the patients who underwent hepatectomy plus EHBR (without PVR, 64.2%; with PVR, 66.7%) versus EHBR alone (54.3%; P < .001). The median number of lymph nodes assessed was higher among the patients who underwent hepatectomy plus EHBR (without PVR, 6 lymph nodes; with PVR, 4 lymph nodes) versus EHBR alone (2 lymph nodes; P < .001). The 90‐day mortality rate was lower for patients who underwent EHBR alone (1.2%) compared with the rate for patients who underwent hepatectomy plus EHBR (without PVR, 10.6%, with PVR, 17.6%; P < .001). The overall 5‐year survival rate was 20.2%. Factors that were associated with an adverse prognosis included lymph node metastasis (hazard ratio [HR], 1.79; P = .002) and R1 margin status (HR, 1.81; P < .001). Microscopic vascular invasion did not influence survival (HR, 1.23; P = .19). Among the patients who underwent hepatectomy plus EHBR, PVR was not associated with a worse long‐term outcome (P = .76).

CONCLUSIONS:

EHBR alone was associated with a greater risk of positive surgical margins and worse lymph node clearance. The current results indicated that hepatectomy should be considered the standard treatment for hilar cholangiocarcinoma, and PVR should be undertaken when necessary to extirpate all disease. Combined hepatectomy, EHBR, and PVR can offer long‐term survival in some patients with advanced hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Cancer 2012. © 2012 American Cancer Society.     

Second hepatic resection for metastatic colorectal cancer

We report a case where repeat hepatic resection was successfully performed 3 years after extended right hepatic lobectomy for metastatic colorectal cancer. The patient remains well and disease free 2.5 years after the second hepatic resection.     

联合肝叶切除的肝门部胆管癌R0级根治术明显延长患者生存期

目的：本文通过分析单个医学中心5年期间所实施的肝门部胆管癌手术治疗病例资料,确定影响患者术后生存的因素。方法：收集并分析西安交通大学医学院第一附属医院肝胆外科2003-2007年实施102例肝门部胆管癌根治术患者的临床资料,通过统计学方法分析影响患者术后生存期的因素。结果：25例（24.5%）患者入院时丧失接受根治性手术机会,仅行PTBD减黄治疗。77例患者接受开腹手术治疗,67例（87.0%）患者接受根治性切除,其中51例（76.1%）患者术后证实达到R0级。接受开腹手术患者术后1月的并发症发生率为20.8%,术后1月无患者死亡。单因素分析发现联合肝叶切除的根治术、R0级根治术、较好的肿瘤分化程度、肿瘤大小和未发生淋巴结肿瘤转移均影响患者术后的生存期。多因素分析证实联合肝叶切除的根治术和R0级根治术是影响患者术后生存的独立因素。结论：达到R0级的联合肝叶切除的肝门部胆管癌根治术明显延长患者术后生存期,可考虑成为肝门部胆管癌外科治疗的金标准。     

磁共振胰胆管造影检查在肝门部胆管癌诊治中的应用

 【摘要】　目的　探讨磁共振胰胆管造影（MRCP）在肝门部胆管癌术前评估中的价值。方法　采用改良的手术标准，选择57例有潜在手术切除可能的肝门部胆管癌患者，术前进行MRCP影像学评估, 并与手术和病理对比。结果　MRCP术前定性准确率为100 %，分型准确性为93 ％（53／57）；肝管汇合部变异8例，变异率26.7 ％，有些变异对手术有利；左、右肝管增长，其中以左肝管尤其明显，这对胆肠吻合口的选择有利；术前MRCP检查显示，胆管癌病变上缘至胆管二级分支之间胆管长度＞0.5 cm或存在胆道变异的部分Ⅳ型肝门部胆管癌患者，手术切除率及根治率均明显提高，与其他3型之间差异无统计学意义。结论　MRCP可对肝门部胆管癌进行较准确的术前定性和分型；术前MRCP显示肝内二级胆管支及肝管汇合部变异对制定肝门部胆管癌，尤其是Ⅳ型肝门部胆管癌的外科手术方案有重要意义，不仅能提高切除率和根治率，而且有利于选择合适的胆肠吻合方式，可避免术中胆道误损伤。     

Surgical treatment of hilar bile duct carcinoma

From June, 1986 to June 1989, 24 cases of hilar bile duct carcinoma were explored in the Surgical Department of General Hospital of PLA, 16/24 cases were resected, a resectability rate of 66%. The increase of resectability rate was due to earlier recognition of this condition and the extension of surgery, including major resection of liver as well as radical dissection of the hepato-duodenal ligament and repairative operations on the blood vessels. Among these 16 cases, major hepatic resection was performed in 10 cases, in which, 3 cases of resections of the middle lobe of the liver were done instead of right or extended right lobectomy. No operative mortality in the 30 days’ postoperative period, but the postoperative morbidity rate was still high and most of the complications were related to biliary leakage and infection. Three patients died in the follow up period at 6, 14 and 15 months respectively. All of them died from biliary infection. The remaining 13 patients were still alive, the longest being 40 months and the average living time was 16.1 months. Probably, lowering of the operative mortality rate and morbidity rate are still the most important considerations in the surgical treatment of hilar carcinoma at the present time. Extensive liver resection especially on the right side, carried a high mortality rate in the deeply jaundiced patients. We considered that preoperative PTCD was of much less value than that used in lower bile duct obstruction such as tumors of the periampullary region. Preservation of the superior and posterior portion of the right lobe of the liver may be of advantages as to lowering postoperative hepatic failure and infection of the right subphrenic space as observed in this series of cases.     

Long-term survival case after liver resection and postoperative hepatic arterial infusion for multiple liver metastases from rectal cancer

A 45-year-old man underwent a low anterior resection for rectal cancer [T3, N1, M0, Stage IIa: UICC]. He received a postoperative systemic chemotherapy with 5-FU and LV. Five months after the operation, multiple liver metastases were detected in the right hepatic lobe (S5, 6, 8). Right hepatectomy was performed. Seventeen courses of postoperative hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) chemotherapy (weekly high-dose 5-FU regimen) were performed without severe adverse events. He was still alive with no sign of recurrence for 69 months after hepatectomy. After liver resection for metastases of colorectal cancer, although a systemic chemotherapy has been mainly performed, HAI chemotherapy is one of the important options for prevention of local recurrence.     

Liver resection in malignant disease

As more surgeons become familiar with the techniques of hepatic resection and the mortality and morbidity decrease, the indications for resection of malignant disease within the liver broadens. The preoperative assessment of malignant liver lesions, as well as the definition of resectability, are outlined. Indications for operative intervention as well as the results obtained are covered. The personal experience of the authors at the Royal Postgraduate Medical School Hepatobiliary Unit, Hammersmith Hospital, in dealing with malignant lesions of the liver is detailed with respect to procedures performed and postoperative morbidity and mortality. Hepatocellular carcinoma, hilar cholangiocarcinoma, and metastatic colon carcinoma are discussed in detail. The authors' experience with each of these diseases is presented.     

THE TECHNIQUE OF THE NORMOTHERMIC AND HYPOTHERMIC TOTAL HEPATIC VASCULAR EXCLUSION FOR RESECTION OF THE LIVER TUMORS

ＴＨＥＴＥＣＨＮＩＱＵＥＯＦＴＨＥＮＯＲＭＯＴＨＥＲＭＩＣＡＮＤＨＹＰＯＴＨＥＲＭＩＣＴＯＴＡＬＨＥＰＡＴＩＣＶＡＳＣＵＬＡＲＥＸＣＬＵＳＩＯＮＦＯＲＲＥＳＥＣＴＩＯＮＯＦＴＨＥＬＩＶＥＲＴＵＭＯＲＳＨｕａｎｇＪｉｅｆｕ黄洁夫ＬｉＧｕｉｓｈｅｎｇ李桂...     

Assessment of symptom experience in patients undergoing hepatic resection or ablation

BACKGROUND: Quality of life (QOL) currently is considered both clinically meaningful and biologically important for patient outcome and is considered as important as disease-free and overall survival. Thus, the objective of the current study was to evaluate the QOL symptoms of patients who underwent major hepatic resection, minor hepatic resection, and ablation for primary or metastatic cancer to the liver. METHODS: From October 2002 to June 2004, 40 patients who underwent either hepatic ablation or resection were enrolled. Patients were assessed at 5 time points (the initial visit, the initial postoperative visit, and visits at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months) by questionnaires of the Functional Assessment in Cancer Therapy (FACT) core instrument with the Hepatobiliary subscale (FACT-Hep), the FACT Hepatobiliary Symptom Index (FHSI-8), the Profile of Mood States (POMS), the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QOL questionnaire (QLQ) for patients with pancreatic cancer (QLQ-PAN), and the general core EORTC QLQ. RESULTS: The patients enrolled included 20 men and 20 women with a median age of 62 years (range, 41-77 years), including 24 patients who underwent major hepatectomy, 8 patients who underwent minor hepatectomy, and 8 patients who underwent ablation. An evaluation of the FACT Physical, Social, Emotional, and Functional subscales demonstrated no differences at the initial or first postoperative visits. However, at 6 weeks, both the Physical (P = .0455) and Functional (P = .0372) scores were significantly worse for the major hepatectomy group. At 3 months, all QOL parameters were similar. Similar differences were observed at 6 weeks for the FHSI-8 (P = .02), POMS (P = .007), QLQ-PAN (P = .04), and EORTC (P = .003) with the resolution of this difference at 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: There was little difference in QOL between patients who underwent major hepatic resection, minor hepatic resection, and hepatic ablation. Patients who underwent major hepatectomy demonstrated a worse QOL at 6 weeks compared with patients who underwent minor hepatic resection and hepatic ablation, with the resolution of this difference and significant improvements observed in all 3 groups at 3 months.     

Surgery for hilar cholangiocarcinoma; a 10 year experience of a tertiary referral centre in the UK.

OBJECTIVE: To review the outcome of patients operated for hilar cholangiocarcinoma and analyse prognostic variables. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospectively collected database on patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma, between 1992 and 2003, and relevant clinical notes were reviewed retrospectively. A total of 174 patients, 96 male, median age 63 years (27-86), were referred. Jaundice was the initial presentation in 167. RESULTS: ERCP was the initial interventional investigation at the referring centre in 150, of which only 30 were stented successfully. PTC and decompression was carried out on 120. In 17, combined PTC and ERCP were required for placement of stents. Seventy-two underwent laparotomy at which 27 had locally advanced disease. Forty-five had potentially curative resections. Extra hepatic bile duct resection was done in 14 patients of which four were R0 resections. Thirty-one had bile duct resection including partial hepatectomy with 19 R0 resections (P=0.042). Post-operative complications developed in 19 patients, and there were 4 30 day mortalities [hepatic insufficiency:/sepsis (n=3), thrombosis of the reconstructed portal vein (n=1)]. Among the patients with R0 resections, the cumulative survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 year; was 83, 58, 41%, respectively, and in those with R1 resections were 71, 24, 24%, respectively, (P=0.021). Overall survival was shorter in patients with positive perineural invasion (P=0.066: NS). There was no significant difference in survival between the node positive and negative group. Median survival of patients who underwent liver resection was longer than those with bile duct resection only (30 vs 24 months P=0.43: NS). CONCLUSIONS: ERCP was associated with a high failure rate in achieving pre-operative biliary decompression which was subsequently achieved by PTC. Clear histological margins were associated with improved survival and were better achieved by liver resection as compared to extra hepatic bile duct resection. Positive level I lymph nodes did not adversely impact survival.