ObjectiveTo explore the clinical significance of hepatectomy combined with vascular reconstruction in hilar cholangiocarcinoma with vascular invasion. MethodsThe clinical data of 62 cases of hilar cholangiocarcinoma with vascular invasion in Suqian People's Hospital of Nanjing Drum-Tower Hospital Group from January 2006 to January 2014 were analyzed retrospectively. All cases were divided into two groups according to assessment of surgical trauma tolerance, nutritional status, and family's wishes. Thirty-three cases underwent hilar cholangiocarcinoma radical operation and hepatic artery combined with portal vein resection and reconstruction (combined resection group), while 29 cases of hilar cholangiocarcinoma underwent palliative surgery for treating jaundice in synchronization (palliative operation group). ResultsThe median survivals in combined resection group and palliative operation group was 26.3 and 9.6 months, respectively. The survival rates of 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year between combined resection group and palliative operation group were 84.85% vs. 26.32%, 66.67% vs. 15.79%, and 42.42% vs. 0, respectively, there were significant differences between both groups in survival time and survival rate (t=4.470, P=0.000; χ2=28.338, 20.348, and 15.891, P=0.000). Among of 33 cases in combined resection group, postoperative complications occurred in 9 cases, the rate of complications was 27.27% and the mortality rate in perioperative period was 3.03%; while postoperative complications in palliative operation group occurred in 5 cases, the rate of complications was 17.24%, no case died in the perioperative period. There were no significant difference between both groups in the rate of postoperative complications and the mortality rate in perioperative period (χ2=0.888, P=0.346; χ2=0.893, P=0.345). ConclusionsHepatectomy combined with vascular resection and reconstruction can significantly improve the radical resection (R0) rate of HCCA, and greatly increase the 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year survival rates of patients. Furthermore, complications can be controlled, and the mortality rate in perioperative period does not increase.