Comparison of laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation with percutaneous radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B-related hepatocellular carcinoma involving specific sites: A retrospective cohort study

This study compared the effectiveness and safety of laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation (LRFA) and percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (PRFA) in the treatment of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) involving specific sites. This retrospective cohort study included patients with HBV-related HCC involving specific sites treated with LRFA or PRFA between January 2012 and December 2020. The overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and complications were compared between the LRFA and PRFA groups. The Cox proportional-hazards regression model was used to determine the factors affecting prognosis. This study included 109 patients: 69 in the LRFA group and 40 cases in the PRFA group. No significant differences were found in the 3-year OS rate between the two groups (73.7% vs. 70.0%, P = 0.514), but the LRFA group showed a higher 3-year DFS rate than the PRFA group (58.2% vs. 42.5%, P = 0.018). The RFA method was not associated with OS but was independently associated with DFS (LRPA vs. PRFA, HR = 2.078, P = 0.012). The common complications were ascites, pleural effusion, and fever in the two groups. The occurrence of complications in patients treated with LRFA or PRFA was similar (15.9% vs. 12.5%, P = 0.785). LRFA was associated with a better DFS in patients with HBV-related HCC involving specific sites. Thus, LRFA might have more advantages in treating liver cancer involving specific sites.