Ultrasound Guided Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation Versus Laparoscopic Hepatectomy For Small Primary Liver Cancer

Objective To investigate the effect of ultrasound guided radiofrequency ablation and laparoscopic hepatectomy for the treatment of primary small liver carcinoma whose diameter≤3 cm.Methods According to the strict inclusion and exclusion criteria,the clinical data of 35 patients with small primary liver cancer undergoing ultrasound guided RFA(ablation group)from January 2012 to June 2015,and 30 patients undergoing laparoscopic hepatectomy(laparoscopic group)during the same period were retrospectively analyzed.The relevant surgical variables as well as the postoperative recurrence and survival rates between the two groups were compared.Results The mean operative time,intraoperative blood loss,length of postoperative hospital stay and hospitalization cost were(53.89±16.25)min,(7.29±2.80)ml,(1.86±0.81)d and(17300±8700)yuan in ablation group,and were(128.57±39.12)min,(115.33±68.77)ml,(5.50±1.55)d and(22300±1500)yuan in laparoscopic group,the inter-group differences had statistical difference(all P<0.05),while the changes in liver function parameters and incidence of postoperative complications had no statistical difference(all P>0.05).The surgery cure rates of ablation group and laparoscopic group were 97.1% and 100% respectively,which was no significant difference(P>0.05).The3-year recurrence rate between ablation group and laparoscopic group was also no significant difference(51.4% vs.40.0%,P>0.05).The 1-,2-and 3-year DFS rates in the ablation group were 74.3%,62.9% and 37.1%,respectively,compared with 76.7%,66.7%and 40.0% in the laparoscopic group,the corresponding OS rates were 85.7%,82.9% and77.1% in the ablation group and 86.7%,83.3% and 80.0% in the laparoscopic group,there was no significant difference in OS and DFS rates(all P>0.05).Conclusion RFA and laparoscopic hepatectomy have similar efficacy for small primary liver cancer.Therefore,RFA has the advantages of minimal invasiveness,shorter operative time and fast postperative recovery,so it has important clinical therapeutic value for small primary liver cancer.