The feasibility and safety of laparoscopic one-off complete radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma in caudate lobe

Objective 　To assess the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic one-off complete radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in caudate lobe. Methods 　Ten patients (9 males and 1 female) with caudate lobe HCC were treated by laparoscopic RFA in the General Hospital of PLA from Dec. 2009 to Dec. 2010. The mean age of the patients was 48 years (ranged from 32 to 65). Nine cases were Child-Pugh A, and one was Child-Pugh B. The mean diameter of tumors was 2.6cm (1.8-3.2cm). The mean follow-up period for focal recurrence was 6 months to evaluate the result of one-off tumor complete ablation. Results 　The monitored mean temperature of ablation area was about 86.4℃ (83-97℃), and the elevation of body temperature as measured in nose was 1.5℃ (1.1-2.0℃) just after the procedure of ablation was terminated. No additional therapy was needed after RFA, no single focal recurrence appeared 6 months after the procedure of ablation, and the survival condition was satisfactory during 24-36 months of follow-up period. Conclusion 　The laparoscopic one-off complete RFA for HCC situated in caudate lobe is safe and feasible.