Intraoperative evaluation of the depth of invasion of gallbladder cancer

Background: It is sometimes very difficult to diagnose the depth of invasion of gallbladder cancer preoperatively. Therefore, we investigated intraoperative examinations to diagnose the depth of invasion. Methods: A total of 104 patients were included in this study. The relation between macroscopic morphology and the depth of invasion and evaluation of the depth of invasion by intraoperative ultrasonography and frozen section examination were investigated. Results: In all cases of a pedunculated type and a subpedunculated type with thin base, invasion remained within the mucosa. In other types, the depth of invasion was various. The accuracy of diagnosing the depth of invasion by intraoperative ultrasonography and frozen section examination was 73.9% and 85.7%, respectively. Conclusions: The cancer classified as a pedunculated type or a subpedunculated type with thin base can be diagnosed to remain within the mucosa. In other types, intraoperative ultrasonography and frozen section examination are useful in the diagnosis of the depth of invasion.