The role of computer-aided operative planning system in the management of hilar cholangiocarcinoma: current status and future research directions        YANG Shi-zhong. Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Chinese PLA 401 Hospital, Qingdao266071，China
Abstract The surgical management of hilar cholangiocarcinoma is one of the most difficult challenges for hepatobiliary surgeons. How to achieve a precise balance between curative resection of tumor and fully functional compensation of remnant liver is a key issue for the safety of patient. Computer-aided surgical planning system can offer surgeons some objective, quantitative, three-dimensional, and visualized information, including vessel anatomy, volume analysis, cut plane selection, and so on. Computer-aided surgical planning system may have potentially important clinical value for improving the quality of complex hepatectomy involving hilar cholangiocarcinoma resection.