Background/aims: Liver resection is the most effective form of treatment for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. The use of a microwave tissue coagulator has been reported to enable limited liver resections for the patients with poor hepatic reserve. Herein, we report the clinical outcome of 214 patients with HCC who underwent non-anatomical liver resection using MTC in accordance with the tumor size.
Methodology: A consecutive series of 214 patients who underwent liver resections using MTC were observed over a 10-year study period. The clinical characteristics of patients were evaluated. The operative mortality and morbidity, overall patient survival and disease-free survival were calculated.
Results: Seventy-two percent of patients suffered from type C hepatitis and 47% of patients had pathologically proven liver cirrhosis. The overall patient survival rates were 91, 72, and 58% at 1, 3 and 5 years, respectively. Disease-free survival rates were 74, 46, and 28% at 1, 3 and 5 years, respectively. Postoperative morbidity was 36% and hospital mortality was 2.8%. Complications in most patients were well controlled.
Conclusions: Non-anatomical liver resections using MTC, in accordance with tumor sizes, can be achieved safely with acceptable results and without the need to use special techniques.