Muglia R, Marra P, Pinelli D, Dulcetta L, Carbone FS, Barbaro A, Celestino A, Colledan M, Sironi S. Technical and Clinical Outcomes of Laparoscopic-Laparotomic Hepatocellular Carcinoma Thermal Ablation with Microwave Technology: Case Series and Review of Literature.
Cancers (Basel) 2023;
16:92. [PMID:
38201536 PMCID:
PMC10778313 DOI:
10.3390/cancers16010092]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE
To evaluate technical and clinical outcomes of intraoperative (laparoscopic/laparotomic) microwave ablation on HCC.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This is a retrospective single-center study evaluating consecutive patients treated for very early/early-stage HCC with intraoperative microwave ablation from 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2023. In these patients, a percutaneous US-guided approach was excluded due to the nodule's suboptimal visibility or harmful location and liver resection for a deep position or adherences. Data about the clinical stage, surgical approach, liver pathology and nodules characteristics, technical success, complications, and follow-up were collected. Technical success was intended as the absence of locoregional persistence at follow-up CT/MRI controls.
RESULTS
A total of 36 cirrhotic patients (M:F = 30:6, median age 67 years) were enrolled; 18/36 (50%) had a single nodule, 13/36 (36%) had two, 4/36 had three (11%), and 1/36 had four (3%). Among the patients, 24 (67%) were treated with laparoscopy, and 12/36 (33%) with a laparotomic approach. Sixty HCCs of 16.5 mm (6-50 mm) were treated for 7 min (2-30 min) with 100 W of power. A total of 55 nodules (92%) were treated successfully and showed no residual enhancement at the first postoperative follow-up; the other 5/60 (8%) underwent chemo/radioembolization. There was one complication (3%): a biliary fistula treated with percutaneous drainage and glue embolization. The average hospital stay was 3.5 days (1-51 days), and patients were followed up on average for 238 days (13-1792 days). During follow-up, 5/36 patients (14%) underwent liver transplantation, 1/36 (2%) died during hospitalization and 1 after discharge.
CONCLUSIONS
Laparoscopic/laparotomic intraoperative HCC MW ablation is feasible in patients unsuitable for percutaneous approach or hepatic resection, with rare complications and with good technical and clinical outcomes.
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