Radiofrequency ablation of unresectable liver malignancies: evaluation of the laparoscopic approach

ABSTRACT

In this study, 12 consecutive patients with unresectable hepatic malignancies were treated with laparoscopic RFA. A total of 28 tumors with median tumor volume of 35 mm [8-58] were detected in the 12 patients. The group included seven patients with hepatoma arising on a background of cirrhosis and five patients with multiple deposits from primary colorectal cancer. Total ablation was performed in seven patients with hepatoma and five patients with secondary deposits. Total ablation with a minimum of 0.5 cm margin was achieved in 26 lesions [92%]. No complications were encountered postoperatively and all patients were discharged within two days of the intervention. After a median follow-up of 11.8 months, local recurrence occurred in one patient [8%] and new hepatic tumors developed in two patients [16%]. This study confirmed the safety and therapeutic potential of laparoscopic ultrasound-guided RFA in patients with inoperable hepatic tumors