Hepatobiliary resection with concomitant resection of the inferior vena cava for advanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: report of a case

A 65-year-old female was diagnosed with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma involving the inferior vena cava (IVC). The patient underwent right trisectionectomy and caudate lobectomy with bile duct resection and concomitant resection of the IVC. The IVC was reconstructed using the right external iliac vein. Histologically, the tumor had invaded the IVC. Despite the administration of postoperative prophylactic anticoagulant therapy, IVC thrombosis developed, probably due to the difference in diameter between the IVC and the graft. Following the development of collateral vessels, the patient was discharged and is now healthy without recurrence 18 months after surgery. IVC reconstruction using an external iliac vein graft may lead to the development of IVC thrombosis. Therefore, the graft used for IVC reconstruction should be very carefully selected.