INTRAOPERATIVE ULTRASOUND EXAMINATION OF HILAR CHOLANGIOCARCINOMA /TUMOR OF KLATSKIN /

Purpose: To compare the opportunities of the intraoperative ultrasound examination of the liver with the preoperative imaging methods – Computer tomography (CT), Ultrasound examination (US) in detecting hepatic lesions in patients with tumor of Klatskin (hilar cholangiocarcinoma).Patients and methods: This is a prospective study of 7 patients, which had undergone open operative intervention for tumor of Klatskin. The affecting of the liver by the tumor process was examined preoperatively with Ultrasound examination and Computer tomography with contrast amplification, and by inspection and palpation and intra operative ultrasound during the operative intervention.Results: The maximum numbers of malignant lesions are found by IOUS - totally 21. Preoperative ultrasound found 5 lesions or 23,80% of the maximum number and preoperative CT – 9 or 33,33%. The information from IOUS changed the operative plan in 2/7 of the patients (28,57%). A biliary stent was placed under the control of IOUS in one patient with a heavy hyperbilirubinemia – 791,6 µmol/l.Conclusions: IOUS is significantly helpful in surgery of tumor of Klatskin. Besides the precise localization and staging of the tumor the information of IOUS changes the surgical strategy in some patients