Is Pancreaticoduodenectomy Feasible for Recurrent Remnant Bile Duct Cancer Following Bile Duct Segmental Resection?

BACKGROUND

When bile duct cancer recurs after surgery, treatment options are limited. This study examines the usefulness of reoperative pancreaticoduodenectomy for recurrent cancer after initial segmental bile duct resection.

METHODS

Six patients (5 males, 1 females; median age 65 years) who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for recurrent remnant bile duct cancer following segmental bile duct resection were included: 4 underwent surgery at Severance Hospital and 2 at Gangnam Severance Hospital from January 2000 to December 2013. Medical records data were retrospectively reviewed, including demographics, type of first and second surgery, radicality of resection, TNM stage, adjuvant treatments, complications, and survival. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to analyze survival.

RESULTS

The median interval between operations was 57 (range 7-95) months. Median operation time was 6.9 (range 5.2-12.8) h, blood loss was 400 (range 50-1170) mL, intensive care unit stay was 1 (range 1-2) day, and postoperative hospital stay was 33 (range 15-55) days. No patient died. Four had severe complications. The median survival after pancreaticoduodenectomy was 16 (range 5-89) months. Four patients had recurrence. T stage, N stage, and resection radicality influenced survival.

CONCLUSION

Pancreaticoduodenectomy is reasonable for recurrent remnant bile duct cancer following segmental bile duct resection, particularly for patients with no distant metastasis, locally confined recurrence, and good general condition.