Laparoscopic Radiofrequency Ablation In The Treatment Of Small Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Objectives: To explore the efficacy of laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation(LRFA)for the treatment of small primary hepatocellular carcinoma(sHCC).Methods: The retrospective cohort study was adopted.90 patients with diagnosed small primary hepatic carcinoma,who treated in the second affiliated hospital of nanchang university between August 2012 and October 2013,were divided into laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation(LRFA)set(n=30),percutaneous radiofrequency ablation(PRFA)set(n=30)and surgical resection(SR)set(n=30).The patients were followed up for 3 years to observe the therapeutic effect,recurrence,disease free survival and overall survival of the three groups.Results: Three groups of patients were successfully completed surgery.Comparing with the SR group,laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation(LRFA)has shorter operation tine,lesser bleeding,faster recovery of liver function,fewer perioperative complications and shorter hospital stay.The corresponding 3-year recurrence rate for the laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation(LRFA)set,the percutaneous radiofrequency ablation(PRFA)set and the surgical resection(SR)set were 33.3%,60%,26.7%,respectively.The 3-year disease-free survival rates were 66.7%,40.0% and 73.3%,respectively.The 3-year overall survival rates were 86.7%,76.7% and 90.0% for the three groups.The percutaneous radiofrequency ablation(PRFA)set had significant shorter 3-year disease-free survival rates and higher recurrence rates compared with the other two groups(P<0.05),while the laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation(LRFA)and the surgical resection(SR)set had no difference in disease-free survival rates and recurrence rates(P>0.05).There were no statistically significant differences among the three groups in 3-year overall survival rates(P-value=0.302).Conclusions: Besides in minimal invasiveness,faster postoperative recovery,laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation(LRFA)group achieved equivalent therapeutical effectiveness as surgical resection(SR)group did,the 3-year disease-free survival and overall survival outcomes difference has no statistical significance,and maybe considered as the preferred treatment modality for HCC smaller than 3cm.