Short- and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic resections for intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma

Aim. To evaluate short- and long-term results of laparoscopic and open surgeries for intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma.

Materials and Methods. The paper presents the retrospectively studied results of laparoscopic and open liver resections in 53 patients (2015–2020). The selection of patients for laparoscopic surgery consisted in maintaining the possibility of performing an R0 resection. A comparison was made before and after the alignment of the groups in relation to the complexity of resection due to the exclusion of resections and the reconstructions of vessels and bile ducts.

Results. 53 patients were operated on; 19 patients underwent laparoscopic resection. In the open group, resection and reconstruction of vessels and bile ducts were performed significantly more often. A significantly lower incidence of severe complications and bile leakage was noted in the laparoscopic group, which did not affect the duration of hospital stay. After eliminating the differences in resection complexity, the comparison showed lower blood loss and biliary complications as well as a higher R0 resection rate in the laparoscopic group. The overall and recurrence-free four-year survival did not differ in the groups before and after aligning in terms of resection complexity.

Conclusion. The first experience of using laparoscopic access for intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma indicates that it is possible to improve the immediate results of treatment without worsening short- and long-term oncological outcomes.

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