Hepatopancreatoduodenectomy for Extrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: A Series of 100 Consecutive Cases from an Expert Center in Japan.

Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of hepatopancreatoduodenectomy (HPD) for extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, because it remains controversial owing to high morbidity and mortality, as well as uncertain oncological benefits.

Methods: Patients who underwent HPD between 2003 and 2020 were reviewed. Short- and long-term outcomes were compared with those of patients who underwent hepatectomy with extrahepatic bile duct resection (HT-B) and pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) for extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Results: In the study interval, 100 patients underwent HPD, 203 underwent HT-B and 209 underwent PD. The median operating time and blood loss of HPD were 668 min and 1,842 mL, which were significantly longer and greater in comparison to the HT-B (552 min and 1,264 ml) and PD (457 min and 911 ml) groups. The rate of clinically relevant postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ 3) after HPD was 82%, which was significantly greater in comparison to the HT-B (39%) and PD (68%) groups. However, the mortality rate was 2% and was almost comparable to the HT-B (2.5%) and PD (1.4%) groups. The 3- and 5-year survival rates and median survival times were 59%, 40.7%, and 50 months, respectively, in the HPD group; 61.1%, 41.8%, and 45 months in the HT-B group; and 60.7%, 45.4%, and 48 months in the PD group. No significant differences were observed between the groups.

Conclusions: Although HPD is technically demanding and forces stress on patients, it can be performed with acceptable mortality and survival rate, and is an acceptable option for patients cared for in expert hepatopancreatobiliary centers.