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Updated: Jun 21, 2026
Application of Laparoscopic Hepatectomy Combined with Intraoperative Microwave Ablation in Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastasis
Published on: March 3, 2023
Strategies to convert to resectability the initially unresectable colorectal liver metastases
Irinel Popescu1, Sorin Alexandrescu, Adina Croitoru
1Center of General Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania. irinel.popescu@icfundeni.ro
Background/Aims:
Because only 25% of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) are initially resectable, we used several therapeutic strategies to convert to resectability some of the initially unresectable CRLM. Our results are presented herein.
Methodology:
The therapeutical strategies were: (A) Liver resection after portal vein ligation--10 patients; (B) Staged liver resection with portal vein ligation--3 patients; (C) Staged liver resection without portal vein ligation--3 patients; (D) Resection after "do wn-sizing" of CRLM by conversion chemotherapy--3 patients; (E) Resection associated with radiofrequency ablation--9 patients.
Results:
The resectability rate was 60% (6/10) in group A and 66% (2/3) in groups B and C. For the entire series, the morbidity and mortality rates were 50% (11/22 patients) and 4.5% (1/22 patients), respectively. The overall one-, two-, and three-year survival rates of the entire group of patients rendered to resectability were 80.1%, 44.8% and 35.9%, respectively.
Conclusions:
In selected patients with initially unresectable CRLM, "two-stage" hepatectomies (with/without PVE/PVL) can be performed safely, achieving long-term survival. Liver resection may be achieved safely after conversion chemotherapy in some previously unresectable patients, with considerable survival benefit. RFA could be associated with liver resection to increase the number of patients eligible for complete removal and ablation of their CRLM.