Diffuse bile duct carcinoma treated by major hepatectomy and pancreatoduodenectomy with the aid of pre-operative portal vein embolization. Report of two cases

A successful resection rate for diffuse bile duct carcinoma is low. Major h epatectomy combined with pancreatoduodenectomy is a possible choice for cur ative resection, but the post-operative mortality rate after such an extens ive surgery has been reported to be high. The main reason for post-operativ e death is liver failure. With the aid of pre-operative portal vein emboliz ation, major hepatectomy (left lobectomy and extended right lobectomy with caudate lobectomy) and pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy was success fully applied to 2 patients with diffuse bile duct carcinoma as a one-stage surgery. We herein report these 2 cases discussing the usefulness of pre-o perative portal vein embolization.