SEGMENT-III CHOLANGIOJEJUNOSTOMY FOR PALLIATION OF MALIGNANT HILAR OBSTRUCTION

Between 1984 and 1992, 26 patients with obstructive jaundice due to ma lignancy at the liver hilum were treated by segment III Roux-en-Y chol angiojejunostomy. Twenty-two patients had hilar cholangiocarcinoma, on e carcinoma of the gallbladder, one pancreatic carcinoma, one recurren t gastric carcinoma and one lymphoma. Seventeen patients had no compli cations in the postoperative period and six had complications; there w ere three postoperative deaths. Eighteen of the 23 surviving patients experienced complete resolution of jaundice for at least 3 months. Fou r developed recurrent jaundice and three had episodes of cholangitis b efore death. Segment III cholangiojejunostomy offers effective palliat ion for most patients with irresectable hilar malignancy.