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Background/purpose: The usefulness of endoscopic biliary stenting by deploying a plastic stent suprapapillary, called inside-stent (IS) placement, as preoperative biliary drainage (PBD) for perihilar biliary malignancy (PHBM) has been demonstrated. This study investigated risk factors for recurrent biliary obstruction (RBO) after IS placement., Methods: Consecutive patients with potentially resectable PHBM treated with IS placement as PBD between 2017 and 2023 at Nagoya University Hospital were retrospectively reviewed., Results: A total of 157 patients were included, with RBO occurring in 34 (22%) patients. The non-RBO rates were 83% at 30 days, 77% at 60 days, and 57% at 90 days. The most common cause of RBO was stent occlusion (n = 14), followed by segmental cholangitis (n = 12) and stent migration (n = 8). Stent migration and occlusion occurred more frequently within and after 1 week post-stenting, respectively. In multivariate analysis, biliary infection before IS was the sole risk factor for RBO, with a hazard ratio of 2.404 (95% confidence interval 1.163-4.972; p = .018). This risk was reduced by temporary endoscopic nasobiliary drainage prior to definitive IS placement., Conclusions: Biliary infection before IS was identified as an independent risk factor for RBO in patients with PHBM with IS as PBD., Clinical Trial Register: Clinical trial registration number: UMIN000025631., (© 2024 Japanese Society of Hepato‐Biliary‐Pancreatic Surgery.)

Background: The necessity of a specific T classification for extrahepatic intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct (IPNB) type 2, one of the precursors of cholangiocarcinoma (CC), remains unclear., Methods: Patients who underwent resection for extrahepatic biliary tumors were reviewed. Relapse-free survival (RFS) was compared between IPNB type 2 and CC, stratified by T classification., Results: The cohort involved 443 patients with IPNB type 2 (n = 57) and CC (n = 386). In 342 patients with perihilar tumors, 5-year RFS of IPNB type 2 and CC group was 49.8% versus 34.5% (p = .012), respectively. The RFS was 54.6% versus 47.2% (p = .110) for pT1-2 tumors and 28.6% versus 22.7% (p = .436) for pT3-4 tumors, respectively. In 92 patients with distal tumors, 5-year RFS was 47.4% versus 42.1% (p = .678). The RFS was 68.2% versus 49.6% (p = .422) for pT1 tumors and 18.8% versus 38.3% (p = .626) for pT2-3 tumors, respectively. Multivariate analysis identified that poor histologic grade (HR, 2.105; p < .001), microscopic venous invasion (HR, 1.568; p = .002), and nodal metastasis (HR, 1.547; p < .001) were independent prognostic deteriorators, while tumor type (IPNB type 2 vs. CC) was not., Conclusions: Prognostic impact of IPNB type 2 was limited, suggesting unnecessity of a specific T classification for IPNB type 2 with invasive carcinoma., (© 2022 Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery.)

Purposes: This study sought to define the impact of skeletal muscle mass and quality on postoperative outcomes in patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma., Methods: Patients who underwent major hepatectomy for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma were included. The normalized total psoas area (TPA) (psoas muscle index [PMI]) and average Hounsfield units of the TPA (psoas muscle density [PMD]) were measured using preoperative computed tomography images. The cohort was dichotomized using the following indices: sex-specific lowest tertile (low PMI and low PMD) and other (normal PMI and normal PMD). Intraoperative and postoperative outcomes were compared, focusing on PMI and PMD., Results: A total of 456 patients were analyzed. The intraoperative blood loss (IBL) was 21.3 ml/kg in the low PMI group and 17.2 ml/kg in the normal PMI group (P = .008). Patients in the low PMI or PMD group experienced postoperative infectious complications more frequently than those in the other groups. The median survival time was 37.8 months in the low PMI group and 54.2 months in the normal PMI group (P = .027)., Conclusions: PMI and PMD were closely associated with IBL and postoperative infectious complications. Additionally, PMI impacted long-term survival. These results suggest an importance of improving muscle mass and quality before surgery., (© 2022 Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery.)

Background: Standardized criteria for drain removal in hepatobiliary resection are lacking. Here, we evaluated the outcomes of delayed removal policy in this extended surgery., Methods: Patients undergoing hepatectomy with biliary reconstruction between 2012 and 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. The drains were removed on postoperative day (POD) 7 when the drainage fluid was grossly serous, biochemically normal, and negative for bacterial contamination as assessed by Gram staining; additionally, no abnormal fluid collection was confirmed by computed tomography. Clinically relevant abdominal complications (CRACs), including biliary leakage, pancreatic fistula or intra-abdominal abscess, served as the primary outcome measure., Results: Among 374 study patients, surgical drains were removed in 166 (44.3%) patients who met the criteria. Of these patients, 16 (9.6%) patients subsequently required additional drainage due to CRAC. Drains were retained and exchanged in 208 (55.6%) patients who did not meet the criteria. Of these, exchanged drains were soon removed in 34 patients due to no signs of CRAC. The diagnostic ability of the criteria revealed 0.916 sensitivity, 0.815 specificity, and 0.866 accuracy., Conclusion: The four findings on POD 7 worked well as criteria for drain removal, and these criteria may be helpful in drain management after hepatobiliary resection., (© 2022 Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery.)

Background: Clinical tumor staging is essential information for making a therapeutic decision in cancer. This study aimed to identify the optimal tumor classification system for predicting resectability and survival probability in perihilar cholangiocarcinoma., Methods: Patients who were treated for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma between 2009 and 2018 were enrolled. Local tumor extension was staged radiologically according to a diameter-based classification system in addition to the AJCC, Blumgart, and Bismuth systems. Survival and resectability were compared between T subgroups, and the discriminability of the four systems was assessed with Harrell's concordance index (C-index)., Results: Among 702 study patients, 559 (80.0%) underwent laparotomy, 489 (70.0%) of whom underwent resection. The resectability significantly decreased for more advanced tumors in all systems (P < .001); the AJCC system had the greatest discriminability for resectability (area under the curve 0.721). Overall survival at 5 years was 69.9% for AJCC cT1, 45.8% for cT2, 31.8% for cT3, and 15.3% for cT4 tumors (cT1 vs cT2; P = .002, cT2 vs cT3; P = .008 and cT3 vs cT4; P < .001). The AJCC system had the largest C-index of 0.627., Conclusions: The AJCC T system was the optimal classification system for predicting resectability and survival in perihilar cholangiocarcinoma., (© 2021 Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery.)

Background: The efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy for biliary cancers remains controversial because of conflicting results from previous phase 3 studies that used different key drugs and enrolled patients with heterogeneous tumor sites and disease stages. Fluoropyrimidine seems more beneficial than gemcitabine (GEM) combination regimens in the adjuvant setting; however, data comparing the survival benefit between GEM- and fluoropyrimidine-based regimens are lacking., Methods: Patients who underwent resection for node-positive perihilar cholangiocarcinoma were included. The patients who underwent adjuvant chemotherapy were divided into the S-1 and GEM groups according to the regimen. The recurrence-free survival (RFS) and the overall survival (OS) were compared between the groups and adjusted with propensity scores generated from 14 potentially confounding clinicopathological factors., Results: In total, 186 patients (Surgery alone, n = 71; S-1, n = 60; GEM, n = 55) were included. The S-1 and GEM completion rates were 75% and 65%, respectively. Among the patients who underwent adjuvant therapy, the RFS was longer in the S-1 group patients than the GEM group patients (median, 24.4 months vs 14.9 months; P = .044) whereas the OS was not significantly different between the groups (median, 48.5 months vs 35.0 months; P = .324). After propensity score adjustment, the differences in RFS and OS between the groups were more evident (HR: 2.696, 95% CI: 1.739-4.180 P < .001; HR: 1.988, 95% CI: 1.221-3.238, P < .001, respectively)., Conclusions: Compared with adjuvant GEM monotherapy, adjuvant S-1 monotherapy may improve survival in node-positive perihilar cholangiocarcinoma patients., (© 2021 Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery.)

Major hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgery is one of the most invasive abdominal surgeries. Through the experiences of several clinical trials, including those involving patients undergoing major HPB surgery, we have recognized the importance of "muscle" and "intestine" training before surgery. This review article summarizes the results of our clinical trials, specifically focusing on the importance of "muscle" and "intestine". The patients with low skeletal muscle mass or those with low functional exercise capacity showed a significantly worse postoperative course and poor long-term survival after surgery for HPB malignancy. The introduction of prehabilitation (preoperative physical and nutritional support) improved nutritional status and functional exercise capacity, even in patients with malignancy. Daily physical activity was correlated with nutritional status before surgery. These results indicated the usefulness of prehabilitation. The intestinal microenvironment, which is extrapolated from the fecal concentrations of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), showed a significant association with the incidence of surgery-induced bacterial translocation and postoperative infectious complications (POICs). The use of perioperative synbiotics not only increased the fecal levels of SCFAs but also prevented the incidence of POICs. A recent study also indicated that there are correlations between muscle mass and the intestinal microenvironment. Further investigation is required to determine the best "muscle" and "intestine" training protocol to improve the outcomes of major HPB surgeries., (© 2020 Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery.)

Background: Only a few authors have reported negative results for hepatopancreatoduodenectomy (HPD) with simultaneous resection of the portal vein and hepatic artery in a limited number of patients. The aim of the current study was to outline our experience with this superextended surgery and to discuss its clinical value., Methods: Medical records of consecutive patients who underwent resection of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma between 2007 and 2020 were retrospectively reviewed., Results: During the study interval, 650 patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma underwent resection. The superextended surgery was performed in only nine (1.4%) patients. Left or right trisectionectomy was primarily performed. For portal vein reconstruction, external iliac vein graft was required in seven patients. For hepatic artery reconstruction, rotating left gastric artery was often used. The median operative time was 870 minutes and blood loss was 2,598 mL. Postoperatively, pancreatic fistula and liver failure occurred in all patients, followed by intraabdominal abscess (n = 8), and bacteremia (n = 4). One patient died on day 86 due to multiple organ failure. Two patients survived for more than 7 years., Conclusions: HPD with simultaneous resection of the portal vein and hepatic artery is demanding but worth performing as the last option, with careful patient selection in experienced centers., (© 2021 Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery.)

Background: The Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery launched the clinical practice guidelines for the management of biliary tract cancers (cholangiocarcinoma, gallbladder cancer, and ampullary cancer) in 2007, then published the 2nd version in 2014., Methods: In this 3rd version, clinical questions (CQs) were proposed on six topics. The recommendation, grade for recommendation, and statement for each CQ were discussed and finalized by an evidence-based approach. Recommendations were graded as Grade 1 (strong) or Grade 2 (weak) according to the concepts of the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system., Results: The 31 CQs covered the six topics: (a) prophylactic treatment, (b) diagnosis, (c) biliary drainage, (d) surgical treatment, (e) chemotherapy, and (f) radiation therapy. In the 31 CQs, 14 recommendations were rated strong and 14 recommendations weak. The remaining three CQs had no recommendation. Each CQ includes a statement of how the recommendations were graded., Conclusions: This latest guideline provides recommendations for important clinical aspects based on evidence. Future collaboration with the cancer registry will be key for assessing the guidelines and establishing new evidence., (© 2020 Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery.)

Background: Adding segment 4 (S4) portal vein embolization (PVE) to right PVE before right hepatic trisectionectomy is controversial. We retrospectively examined the effect of S4 PVE on segments 2 and 3 (S2 + 3) hypertrophy., Methods: We reviewed patients with biliary carcinoma who underwent right PVE with (R3PVE) or without (R2PVE) S4 PVE using gelatin sponge particles and coils (2010-2019). Propensity score matching balanced the cohort for baseline characteristics, including total liver volume and S2 + 3 volume before PVE. We compared the groups regarding the S2 + 3 volume changes after PVE., Results: Of 178 enrolled patients, 38 underwent R3PVE for right hepatic trisectionectomy and 140 underwent R2PVE for right hepatectomy. Twenty-eight patients from each group were respectively matched. The median absolute volume increase in (146 cm 3 vs 70 cm 3 ), hypertrophy rate of (52.4% vs 32.3%), and kinetic growth rate of (3.1%/wk vs 2.0%/wk) S2 + 3 were significantly higher in the R3PVE group than in the R2PVE group. In the pre-matched cohort, the rate of posthepatectomy liver failure and postoperative hospital stay did not significantly differ between the patients who underwent right hepatic trisectionectomy and right hepatectomy., Conclusion: R3PVE increased the S2 + 3 volume more effectively than R2PVE in patients with biliary carcinoma., (© 2020 Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery.)

Background: The Blumgart system has been used for local tumor assessment in perihilar cholangiocarcinoma to predict resectability and survival, and T3 tumors are considered unresectable disease. The aim was to validate the predictive performance of this system using a Japanese cohort., Methods: Medical records of consecutive patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma between 2006 and 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Resectability, surgical procedure, R0 resection rate, and survival were compared among T stages., Results: Among 729 study patients, 191 patients had T1 tumors, 94 patients had T2 tumors, and 444 (60.9%) patients had T3 tumors according to the Blumgart T stage. Resection was performed in 513 (70.4%) patients; resectability rate decreased with the progression of T stage: 89.0% in T1, 79.8% in T2, and 60.4% in T3 tumors (P < 0.001). The incidences of left hepatic trisectionectomy and portal vein resection were 44.0% and 54.1%, respectively, in patients with T3 tumors, which were significantly greater than those of T1/2 tumors (P = 0.001 and P < 0.001). R0 resection reduced with advanced T stage: 92.4% in T1, 81.3% in T2, and 70.9% in T3 tumors (P < 0.001). The 5-year survival rate was 53.4%, 38.4%, and 19.7% in T1, T2, and T3 tumors, respectively (P < 0.001); that was 59.6%, 48.6%, and 30.7%, respectively, in the resected cohort (P < 0.001)., Conclusion: Blumgart T stage was closely associated with the resectability rate, surgical procedures, R0 resection rate, and survival time, suggesting that the T stage works as well as a presurgical staging system. However, the unresectable classification of T3 tumors should be revised., (© 2019 Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery.)

Background: Although there are many studies on technical outcomes of endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD), no authors reported on preoperative course of patients undergoing ENBD. The aim of this study was to investigate the course of patients with ENBD during the waiting period., Methods: Patients who underwent resection of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHCC) between January 2013 and September 2017 were retrospectively reviewed., Results: During the study period, 191 consecutive patients underwent surgical resection of PHCC after ENBD. Of the study patients, 154 (80.6%) patients were discharged, returned to their home, then re-admitted for surgery. The remaining 37 patients were continuously hospitalized. The number of cholangitis events during the waiting period was 0 in 120 patients, 1 in 59 patients, 2 ≤ in 12 patients. Endoscopic re-intervention was needed in 52 patients. The median length between the first admission and surgery was 37 days (range 12-197 days) in the entire cohort; it was longer in patients with portal vein embolization than in those without (43 vs. 27 days, P < 0.001)., Conclusions: In patients undergoing resection of PHCC, ENBD is widely tolerable with relatively low incidence of cholangitis and thus recommended for preoperative biliary drainage., (© 2019 Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery.)

Background: It remains unclear whether preoperative blood donation is truly beneficial in liver surgery. The aim of this study was to compare surgical outcomes between patients receiving autologous and homologous transfusions during liver resection for biliary tract cancer (BTC)., Methods: Patients who underwent hepatectomy for BTC were retrospectively reviewed (2006-2017). Patients who deposited autologous blood and underwent resection without homologous blood transfusion intraoperatively (Autologous group) were compared with non-depositing patients who required homologous transfusion during hepatectomy (Homologous group). Propensity score matching analyses were performed to adjust the data for the baseline characteristics of both groups., Results: During the study period, 359 patients were included in the Autologous group, and 105 patients were in the Homologous group. The postoperative maximum total bilirubin (T-Bil) levels and the incidence of postoperative liver failure were significantly higher in the Homologous group than in the Autologous group. After propensity score matching, postoperative maximum T-Bil levels were significantly higher in the Homologous group, whereas the incidence of postoperative liver failure was comparable between the two groups; between-group differences were not observed for the remaining major complications, hospital stays and mortality., Conclusion: Although autologous blood transfusion may minimize postoperative hyperbilirubinemia, it may not decrease the risk for mortality or morbidities following hepatectomy for BTC., (© 2018 Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery.)

Background: Inflammation-based prognostic scores are useful prognostic indicators for several types of cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the scores predict survival impact in unresectable perihilar cholangiocarcinoma., Methods: The modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS), Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), Platelet Lymphocyte Ratio, and Prognostic Nutritional Index, were retrospectively assessed in 219 patients with unresectable perihilar cholangiocarcinoma., Results: Of the four scores evaluated, mGPS and NLR demonstrated prognostic value, whereas the remaining two systems did not. The median survival time (MST) of patients with a mGPS of 0 and NLR of 0 or 1 were significantly better than that of patients with a mGPS of 1 or 2 and NLR of 2 (12.3 vs. 4.8 months, P < 0.001, and 10.5 vs. 4.4 months, P = 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that both mGPS and NLR were independent prognostic factors. The combination of mGPS and NLR stratified survival well: the MST was 12.8 months in patients with a mGPS of 0 and NLR of 1 or 2, while only 3.0 months in patients with a mGPS of 1 or 2 and NLR of 2., Conclusions: Both mGPS and NLR are independent prognostic factors and pivotal in refining patient stratification in unresectable perihilar cholangiocarcinoma., (© 2016 Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery.)

Background: Transhepatic portal vein (PV) stenting has been shown to be one of the most important treatments for patients with PV stenosis caused by hepatopancreatobiliary malignancy., Methods: Ten consecutive patients with PV stenosis caused by the recurrence of a perihilar biliary malignancy underwent transhepatic PV stenting. A self-expandable metallic stent was deployed at the stenosis site. The patients were retrospectively analyzed with regard to the procedure, complications, and survival after the stent placement., Results: The median interval between the primary resection and the PV stenting was 22 months. The initial hepatic resection was a left trisectionectomy with caudate lobectomy in seven patients, a left hepatectomy with caudate lobectomy in one patient, a right anterior sectionectomy with caudate lobectomy following a left hepatectomy in one patient and a partial liver resection in one patient. The angle of the PV around the stenosis was greater in the patients with PV stenosis located in the right posterior PV. Eight patients with successful PV stent placement were able to receive anticancer treatment, with a median survival of 14 months. The remaining two patients without successful PV stent placement survived less than 6 months., Conclusions: Portal vein stenting might offer relief from the symptoms associated with PV hypertension and the opportunity for sustainable anticancer therapy in patients with recurrent perihilar biliary malignancy., (© 2015 Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery.)

Background: The occurrence of bacterial translocation (BT) to the mesenteric lymph nodes following the Pringle maneuver is well established; however, the incidence of BT to the portal circulation remains unclear., Methods: Portal blood of patients with suspected hilar malignancy who underwent major hepatobiliary resection with cholangiojejunostomy was sampled three times during surgery: immediately after laparotomy (PV-1); before liver transection and after skeletonization of the hepatoduodenal ligament (PV-2); and after completion of the liver transection (PV-3). The samples were analyzed for microbes with a bacterium-specific ribosomal RNA-targeted reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction method., Results: Fifty patients were enrolled in the study, with a mean total Pringle time of 86 min. Microbes in the portal blood were detected in 11 (22%) of the 50 patients. The occurrence of microbes was not different among the PV-1 samples (8% = 4/50), PV-2 samples (14% = 7/50), and PV-3 samples (14% = 7/50) (P = 0.567). Obligate anaerobes were predominantly detected. The positivity of the PV-3 samples showed no correlation with the total Pringle time or with the occurrence of postoperative infectious complications. The total Pringle time did not affect the surgical outcomes, including infectious complications, liver failure, or mortality. The concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase on postoperative day 1 significantly correlated with the total Pringle time., Conclusions: The intermittent Pringle maneuver is unlikely to induce BT to the portal circulation and is safe, even in difficult, complicated hepatobiliary resections requiring long clamping times., (© 2015 Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery.)

Background: The aim of the present study was to assess the clinical efficiency of portal vein (PV) stenting when performed with preoperative percutaneous transhepatic portal vein embolization (PTPVE) in patients with severe PV stenosis due to tumor invasion., Methods: Between 2007 and 2013, four consecutive patients (one male, three females; mean age, 52 years; age range, 25-73 years) with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma and PV stenosis underwent PTPVE and PV stenting. Patients were analyzed with regard to the procedure, hypertrophy of the future remnant liver (FRL), and plasma clearance rate of indocyanine green by the FRL (ICGK-F). Further, the %FRL volume increase in PTPVE was compared between the stenting group and the usual PTPVE group who have perihilar cholangiocarcinomas without PV stenosis., Results: Preoperative PTPVE with PV stenting was successfully performed and portal flow to the FRL improved after stenting in all four patients. The %FRL volume increase was 18-60% (mean, 34%) in the stenting group and was 12-51% (mean, 21%) in the usual PTPVE group. The ICGK-F value after PTPVE exceeded 0.05 in all four patients. All patients achieved R0 resection., Conclusions: Preoperative PTPVE with PV stenting appears to be feasible in cases of severe PV tumor invasion and stenosis. This procedure may allow a broader indication for surgery., (© 2014 Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery.)

Background: Biliary strictures following laparoscopic cholecystectomy (Lap-C), which are often associated with vascular injuries, remain a serious problem to manage. The aim of this study was to review our experiences with postoperative biliary stricture., Methods: This study involved 14 consecutive patients with biliary strictures that resulted from bile duct injuries during Lap-C between 1997 and 2013. Their medical records were retrospectively analyzed., Results: Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) catheter dilatation was first attempted in eight patients, and five patients were successfully treated. Biliary re-stricture recurred in one patient after 34-month follow-up period. This patient underwent repeated catheter dilatations, which led to recurrent stricture resolution. All five patients maintained biliary tract patency over 72-month follow-up period. The remaining nine patients underwent surgical procedures, including hepaticojejunostomy in two patients, re-hepaticojejunostomy in two patients, and the remaining five patients, with biliary strictures involving the secondary biliary branch and concomitant vascular injuries underwent right hemihepatectomy with cholangiojejunostomy. There were no major postoperative complications. After 80-month follow-up period, all nine patients were alive without biliary stricture., Conclusions: PTBD catheter dilatation is recommended first for postoperative Lap-C-associated biliary strictures. In complicated injury patients with vascular injuries, right hemihepatectomy with cholangiojejunostomy should be indicated., (© 2014 Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery.)

Background: Previously, we reported on the clinical efficacy and safety of portal vein embolization (PVE) with fibrin glue. Our embolic materials for PVE changed from fibrin glue to absolute ethanol (EOH) after 2001 due to prohibition of using fibrin glue for PVE. With introducing our technique of PVE with EOH, we evaluated its safety and efficacy with attention to the amount of EOH., Methods: The medical records of 154 patients who underwent PVE using EOH were retrospectively reviewed., Results: Changes with time in both the serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) after PVE returned to the initial condition within 7 days after PVE. In the 96 patients who underwent CT volumerty 14 to 21 days after PVE, the volume of the embolized lobe decreased from 701 ± 165 cm(3) to 549 ± 148 cm(3) (P < 0.0001). Meanwhile, the volume of the non-embolized lobe increased from 388 ± 105 cm(3) to 481 ± 113 cm(3) (P < 0.0001). On simple linear regression, the amount of EOH was positively correlated with both the maximum of AST and that of ALT after PVE; however, it never correlated with changes in liver volume after PVE., Conclusions: Portal vein embolization with EOH has a substantial effect on both hypertrophy of the non-embolized lobe and atrophy of the embolized lobe. Quick recoveries of changes with time in AST and ALT after PVE proved that PVE with EOH is a safe procedure. The amount of EOH affected the extent of liver damage but had no clinical effects on changes in liver volume after PVE., (© 2014 Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery.)

Perihilar cholangiocarcinomas often involve the bifurcation of the portal vein and the hepatic artery at initial presentation. Previously, vascular invasion was a major obstacle for R0 resection; therefore, such tumors were regarded as locally advanced, unresectable disease. Recently, in leading centers, these tumors have been resected using a specific technique, vascular resection and reconstruction. Vascular resection is classified into three types: portal vein resection alone, hepatic artery resection alone, and simultaneous resection of both the portal vein and hepatic artery. Of these, portal vein resection is widely performed, whereas hepatic artery resection remains controversial. Therefore, hepatectomy combined with simultaneous resection of the portal vein and hepatic artery represents one of the most complicated and challenging procedures in hepatobiliary surgery. The survival benefit of this extended procedure remains unproven, and there is only a single study reporting an unexpectedly favorable outcome in 50 patients. Considering the dismal survival in patients with unresectable disease, hepatic artery resection and/or portal vein resection may be a promising option of choice. However, the technique is highly demanding and has not been standardized. Therefore, this extended surgery may be allowed only in selected hepatobiliary centers., (© 2014 Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery.)

Cholangiocarcinomas exhibit various modes of local extension, and some tumors can only be completely resected by hepatopancreatoduodenectomy (HPD), which is defined as the resection of the whole extrahepatic biliary system with the adjacent liver and pancreatoduodenum. Since Takasaki et al. introduced HPD for locally advanced gallbladder cancer in 1980, Japanese hepatobiliary surgeons have aggressively challenged this extended procedure for advanced biliary tumors. Early experiences with HPD were frequently associated with liver failure and sequential mortality, leading to an underestimation of the survival benefit of HPD. However, with improvements in surgical techniques and perioperative patient care, including portal vein embolization, over the last two decades, the mortality rate after HPD has gradually decreased. Recent studies have demonstrated a favorable survival in cholangiocarcinoma, provided that R0 resection is achieved. In contrast, HPD for gallbladder cancer remains controversial because of the extremely poor survival, although the study populations have been limited. HPD can be performed with low mortality and offers a better probability of long-term survival in patients with cholangiocarcinoma. We should consider HPD to be a standard approach for laterally advanced cholangiocarcinomas that are otherwise unresectable., (© 2014 Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery.)

Background: Recently, the Liver Cancer Study Group of Japan (LCSGJ) staging system for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) was followed by a proposal of the American Committee on Cancer (AJCC)/International Union Against Cancer (UICC) system. The present study aimed to assess the accuracy of both systems to predict survival after curative resection for mass-forming ICC and to establish a new staging system based on survival analysis results. The present study was conducted as a project study of the Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery., Methods: Clinical data from 233 patients who underwent curative resection for mass-forming ICC were retrospectively reviewed. Survival analysis was performed to identify predictors of postoperative outcomes, and a new staging system was established. The survival stratification of our proposed system was compared with two previous staging systems., Results: A N0M0 cohort analysis demonstrated that tumor size, tumor number, and vascular invasion were independently associated with survival after curative resection for mass-forming ICC, whereas serosal and periductal invasion were not. Of patients with nodal metastases, patients with T4 tumor had significantly lower overall survival rate than patients with T1, T2, or T3 tumor. Thus, we proposed a new staging system as follows: serosal invasion was excluded from the LCSGJ T categories, and patients with nodal metastases were divided into stage IVA or IVB according to T classification. The new system better stratified survival after curative resection for mass-forming ICC than the two previous systems., Conclusions: The AJCC/UICC staging system failed to stratify the Japanese patients with mass-forming ICC. The new staging system provided better survival prediction in the patients who underwent curative resection for mass-forming ICC, although further studies are necessary to evaluate the impact of tumor size on survival., (© 2014 Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery.)

Background: The issue on timing and number of bile sampling for exfoliative bile cytology is still unsettled., Methods: A total of 100 patients with cholangiocarcinoma undergoing resection after external biliary drainage were randomized into two groups: a 2-day group where bile was sampled five times per day for 2 days; and a 10-day group where bile was sampled once per day for 10 days (registered University Hospital Medical Information Network/ID 000005983). The outcome of 87 patients who underwent laparotomy was analyzed, 44 in the 2-day group and 43 in the 10-day group., Results: There were no significant differences in patient characteristics between the two groups. Positivity after one sampling session was significantly lower in the 2-day group than in the 10-day group (17.0 ± 3.7% vs. 20.7 ± 3.5%, P = 0.034). However, cumulative positivity curves were similar and overlapped each other between both groups. The final cumulative positivity by the 10th sampling session was 52.3% in the 2-day group and 51.2% in the 10-day group. We observed a small increase in cumulative positivity after the 5th or 6th session in both groups., Conclusions: Bile cytology positivity is unlikely to be affected by sample time., (© 2013 Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery.)

Background: Because the biopsy specimen of extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma (EHBDC) is small and shows reactive changes, the histological distinction between malignant and benign tissue can be difficult. Recent studies reported that S100P and insulin-like growth factor II mRNA-binding protein 3 (IMP3) were not only diagnostic molecules but also prognostic biomarkers in several organs. The objective of this study is to clarify the diagnostic and prognostic value of immunohistochemical expression of S100P and IMP3 in transpapillary biliary forceps biopsy (TBFB) samples., Methods: The TBFB samples were collected from 80 patients (EHBDC, 68 patients; benign, 12 patients), retrospectively., Results: When using cytoplasmic-positive staining for IMP3 as a marker of malignancy, the sensitivity and specificity reached 79.4 and 91.7 %, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy achieved 89.7, 91.7 and 90.0 %, respectively, when using positive staining for IMP3 and/or positive histology as a maker of malignancy. While univariate (P = 0.033) and multivariate (P = 0.039) analysis revealed that S100P-positive EHBDC patients showed significantly shorter survival., Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that immunohistochemical staining for IMP3 is useful in the diagnosis of EHBDC and that of S100P is useful as a prognostic marker for EHBDC.

Background/purpose: Surgery can offer the only chance for a cure in patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma, and a growing number of elderly patients are undergoing resection. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of patient age on surgery for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma., Methods: From 2001 to 2011, 431 consecutive patients underwent a potentially curative resection for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma at the Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine. Perioperative and long-term outcomes after surgery were compared between octogenarians (80 years and older, n = 21) and younger patients (less than 80 years old, n = 410)., Results: All 21 octogenarians were healthy and deemed to be candidates for surgery; however, twenty (95 %) had one or more comorbidities. Nineteen (90 %) octogenarians underwent major hepatectomy with bile duct resection and the remaining two (10 %) underwent bile duct resection only, whereas almost all the (99 %) younger patients underwent hepatectomy (P = 0.021). Postoperative morbidity and mortality occurred in 57 and 5 % of the octogenarians, respectively. These rates were similar to those in the younger patients (P = 0.372 and P = 0.332, respectively). The overall 3- and 5-year survival rates in the octogenarians were both 56.8 %, and 3 patients survived for more than 5 years. Their survival rate was similar to that of the younger patients (P = 0.348)., Conclusions: Surgery for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma can be safely performed even in octogenarians, and careful patient selection can lead to acceptable morbidity, mortality, and long-term survival. Octogenarian patients should not be precluded from surgical resection for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Background/purpose: There have been few reports on the diagnostic ability of multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) to assess invasion of the hepatic artery. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic ability of MDCT for right hepatic artery (RHA) invasion., Methods: From August 2006 to October 2010, 103 consecutive patients with left-sided predominance perihilar cholangiocarcinoma underwent left-sided hepatectomy; all patients received MDCT as a preoperative workup. Three-dimensional volume-rendered and multiplanar reformation (MPR) images were retrospectively examined for evidence of RHA invasion, and the agreement between intraoperative macroscopic and histologic findings was assessed., Results: No macroscopic evidence of RHA invasion was found in any of the 50 patients presenting visible low-density planes on MPR images between the RHA and adjacent tumor. Of the remaining 53 patients without visible low-density planes, 38 patients presented macroscopic evidence of RHA invasion and underwent combined RHA resection; the other 15 patients did not exhibit RHA invasion. The RHA contact length, as measured on MDCT images by curved planar reformations, was significantly longer in the former 38 patients than in the latter 15 patients (24.3 ± 16.9 vs. 8.6 ± 3.0 mm, respectively, P = 0.001). Histologic cancer infiltration of the resected RHA was found in 18 (47.4%) of the 38 patients who underwent RHA resection. Diagnosis of macroscopic RHA invasion based on the presence or absence of a low-density plane had an accuracy of 85.4%., Conclusions: We conclude that MDCT is useful for assessing RHA invasion by perihilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Background/purpose: A non-circumferential defect of the biliary system is occasionally faced at surgery for biliobiliary fistula. The condition represents an uncommon but important complication of gallstone disease. Although direct closure and patch repair using the gallbladder cuff are recommended as first-line treatments, these procedures are sometimes technically difficult in the presence of severe inflammation. The authors, herein, present a novel procedure denoted as hilar cholangioplasty, which utilizes the pedicled omentum., Methods: An 80-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of cholangitis. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography demonstrated a large gallstone astride the common hepatic duct with upstream biliary dilation, indicating biliobiliary fistula. Upon laparotomy, a 2 × 3 cm ductal defect was found just under the hepatic bifurcation, after removal of the gallstones and the gallbladder. The surrounding tissue, as well as the bile duct, was extensively inflamed with dense fibrosis, such that first-line repair methods could not be performed. As an alternative method, the pedicled omentum was used for cholangioplasty., Results: Postoperative cholangioscopy showed a yellow polypoid mass without constriction. Histologically, ordinary biliary epithelium overlaid the surface of the grafted omentum. The patient has remained well at 3-year follow-up., Conclusion: The present method is simple and could be a promising option when standard repair methods cannot be applied.

Background/purpose: The aim of this study was to clarify the prognostic factors of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) following hepatectomy and to examine the impact of lymph node metastasis on survival. This study was therefore carried out as a Project Study of the Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery., Methods: Three hundred and forty-one patients who underwent hepatectomy for ICC between 1995 and 2004 at the 9 institutions of the Medical University Hospitals were analyzed retrospectively. Multivariate regression analyses and a Kaplan-Meyer analysis were performed to identify prognostic factors., Results: Pathological lymph node metastasis was one of the significant factors affecting overall survival (hazard ratio 2.10, p < 0.001) based on the multivariate analysis. Among the patients who underwent extended lymphadenectomy beyond the hepatoduodenal ligament, the median survival of 121 patients with nodal involvement was 12.2 months. Only seven patients with nodal involvement have survived for more than 4 years., Conclusions: In the present study, preoperative carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9, intrahepatic metastasis, and nodal involvement were the significant independent predictors of poor prognosis by multivariate analysis. Further prospective studies may thus be needed to confirm these findings, because this study has a limitation in that it was a retrospective study with multicenter data collection.

Objective: The aim of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the effect on delayed gastric emptying (DGE) of using the greater omental flap to cover the cut surface of the liver after left-sided hepatobiliary resection., Methods: From June 2007 to December 2008, all eligible patients were randomly assigned to either the greater omental flap group (OF group) or the control group (non-OF group)., Results: A total of 40 patients remained for final analysis. The incidence of DGE after left-sided hepatobiliary resection was 25%. The incidence of DGE showed no statistically significant differences between the OF group (10%) and the non-OF group (40%) (p = 0.065). The assessment of DGE using radiopaque rings revealed that changes over time in the gastric emptying ratio (GER, percentage of rings excreted from stomach) did not differ in a significant manner between the two groups. There were significant differences in changes over time in GER (p = 0.044) between the patients with and without DGE. The patients with DGE also showed higher GER at 5 h (p = 0.042) and at 6 h (p = 0.034) than those without DGE., Conclusions: Using the greater omental flap to cover the cut surface of the liver may reduce the incidence of DGE after left-sided hepatobiliary resection. Assessment using radiopaque markers may be useful to evaluate DGE.

Objective: To review our surgical experience with hilar cholangiocarcinoma in the "new era.", Methods: The medical records of 428 patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma who underwent treatment between 2001 and 2008 at the First Department of Surgery, the Nagoya University Hospital, were retrospectively reviewed., Results: Of the 428 patients, 298 (70%) underwent surgical resection (R0, n = 220; R1, n = 70; R2, n = 8). Portal vein resection was performed in 111 (37%) patients, and hepatic artery resection was performed in 53 (18%) patients. Several different types of postoperative complications occurred in a total of 129 (43%) patients and led to 6 (2%) deaths. Of the 298 resected tumors, 206 (69%) were extrahepatic type tumors, and the remaining 92 (31%) were intrahepatic type tumors. Using the Bismuth classification criteria, we identified 15 (5%) type I, 21 (7%) type II, 120 (40%) type III, and 142 (48%) type IV tumors. The overall 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates for all 298 patients were 77, 49, and 42%, respectively. The survival rates were highest among the 197 patients with pM0 disease who underwent R0 resection. Patients in this subgroup had a 5-year survival rate of 52%. The 5-year overall survival rate for the 55 patients with pM0 disease who underwent R1 resection was 32%. The survival rate for patients who had pM1 disease and/or underwent R2 resection was the worst of all the subgroups, but was nonetheless significantly better than that of patients with unresectable tumors. The survival rate for patients who underwent vascular resection and reconstruction was unexpectedly better, with 5-year survival of >20%., Conclusions: The surgical approach to hilar cholangiocarcinoma has become more challenging in the new era. Nevertheless, surgical outcomes have been improved, with decreased morbidity and mortality rates being observed. Long-term survival has also steadily improved. These findings indicate that biliary surgeons should use an aggressive surgical strategy to treat this intractable disease.