Total laparoscopic radical resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma: preliminary experience of a single center

The aim of this study was to describe our preliminary experience in the procedure of laparoscopic radical resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma and to evaluate its feasibility, safety, and clinical efficacy.

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 44 patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma who underwent laparoscopic surgery at our hospital from August 2019 to September 2023. Clinical data were collected from these patients, including 13 cases of Bismuth type I, 17 cases of Bismuth type II, 5 cases of Bismuth type IIIa, and 9 cases of Bismuth type IIIb.

Laparoscopic radical resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma was successfully performed in 38 patients (86.3%). Among the remaining patients, 3 required vascular reconstruction to complete radical surgery and were converted to laparotomies, while 3 others underwent T-tube drainage only due to unresectable metastases. The median operation time was 285 min (range, 190–450), and the median estimated blood loss was 360 mL (range, 260–1200). The postoperative hospital stay duration was 14.3 ± 3.6 days. No perioperative mortality was observed. Postoperative pathological examination revealed negative microscopic margins (R0) in 39 cases and positive microscopic margins (R1) in 2 cases. Postoperative complications occurred in 8 patients (18.1%), with 4 cases (9.0%) of Grade I, 3 cases (6.8%) of Grade II, 1 case (2.2%) of Grade IIIa, and no Grade IIIb or IV complications. The median overall survival for patients who underwent radical R0 resection was 30.4 months (range, 5.3–43.6). The Disease-free survival rates were 73.6% at 1 year, 61.2% at 2 years, and 40.1% at 3 years.

Total laparoscopic radical resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma can be performed safely, feasibly, and effectively by experienced surgeons after an accurate preoperative evaluation.