J Korean Surg Soc.  2012 Jul;83(1):36-42. 10.4174/jkss.2012.83.1.36.

Safety and efficacy of laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation for hepatic malignancies

• Lee SD
• Han HS
• Cho JY
• Yoon YS
• Hwang DW
• Jung K
• Yoon CJ
• Kwon Y
• Kim JH

• KMID: 2212277
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4174/jkss.2012.83.1.36

Abstract

PURPOSE
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an accepted treatment option for primary and metastatic liver tumors. As percutaneous RFA has some limitations, laparoscopic RFA (LRFA) has been used as a therapeutic alternative for the treatment of hepatic malignancies.
METHODS
Between March 2006 and September 2009, thirty patients with hepatic malignancies that were contraindicated for resection or percutaneous RFA underwent LRFA. Indications for this procedure were hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, 21 patients), metastatic liver tumor (8 patients) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (1 patient).
RESULTS
Among the 30 patients who underwent LRFA, 5 patients underwent concomitant laparoscopic liver resection. Intraoperative laparoscopic ultrasound detected new malignant lesions in 4 patients (13.3%). A total of 46 lesions were ablated by LRFA. There was no postoperative mortality. The three-year overall survival rate was 83.7% for the HCC group and 64.3% for the metastatic group.
CONCLUSION
LRFA for hepatic malignancies proved to be a safe and effective treatment. Also, this procedure is indicated for lesions that are not amenable to percutaneous RFA or liver resection.

Keyword

Hepatocellular carcinoma; Liver neoplasms; Laparoscopy; Radiofrequency ablation

MeSH Terms

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular
Cholangiocarcinoma
Humans
Laparoscopy
Liver
Liver Neoplasms
Survival Rate
Cholangiocarcinoma
Liver Neoplasms

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Overall survival rates after laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation for primary hepatocellular carcinoma (A) and liver metastases (B). 3YRS, 3 year overall survival rates.

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  Fig. 2 Cumulative recurrence rates after laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation for primary hepatocellular carcinoma (A) and liver metastases (B).

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