The impact of post-hepatectomy liver failure on long-term survival after liver resection for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND

Although post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) can accurately predict short-term mortality of liver resection for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA), its significance in predicting long-term overall survival (OS) is still uncertain.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis was performed on patients with pCCA who underwent liver resection between October 2013 and December 2018. The patients were divided into 3 groups; No PHF, PHLF (all grade) and grade B/C PHLF according to The International Study Group of Liver Surgery (ISGLS) criteria.

RESULTS

A total of 177 patients were enrolled, 65 (36.7%) had PHLF; 25 (14.1%) had grade A, and 40 (22.6%) had grade B/C. Prior to surgery, patients with PHLF showed significantly greater bilirubin levels and CA 19-9 level than those without (11.5 vs 6.7 mg/dL, p = 0.002 and 232.4 vs 85.9 U/mL, p = 0.005, respectively). Additionally, pre-operative future liver remnant volume in PHLF group was lower than no PHLF group significantly (39.6% vs 43.5%, p = 0.006). Major complication and 90-day mortality were higher in PHLF group than no PHLF group (69.2% vs 20.5%, p < 0.001 and 29.2% vs 3.6%, p < 0.001, respectively). The OS in both grade A PHLF and grade B/C PHLF was significantly worse compared to no PHLF, with median survival times of 8.4, 3.3, and 19.2 months, respectively (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). Multivariable analysis revealed that PHLF was independently prognostic factor for long-term survival.

CONCLUSION

To achieve negative resection margin, the surgical resection in pCCA was aggressive, however this increased the risk of PHLF, which also affects the OS. Consequently, it is necessary for establishing a balance between aggressive surgery and PHLF.