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Updated: Feb 20, 2026
Application of Laparoscopic Hepatectomy Combined with Intraoperative Microwave Ablation in Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastasis
Published on: March 3, 2023
Comparison of microwave ablation and hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma: a meta-analysis
Manka Zhang1, Huimin Ma2, Jian Zhang1
1Department of Center of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Peking University Ditan Teaching Hospital.
Background And Aims:
Hepatic resection (HRN) and microwave ablation (MWA) have significant advantages in treating hepatocellular carcinoma; however, it remains unclear which way produces better outcomes. This meta-analysis of cohort studies compared the treatments in terms of effectiveness and safety.
Methods:
Six electronic databases (PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science, EBSCO, and The Cochrane Library) were retrieved for studies comparing MWA and HRN. The meta-analysis was conducted based on statement of preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
Results:
Nine studies met the inclusion criteria, with a total of 1,480 patients. The overall meta-analysis demonstrated no significant difference in overall survival between the MWA group and the HRN group (HR =0.98, 95% CI =0.76-1.26, P=0.878). There was no difference in disease-free survival between the MWA group and the HRN group (HR =1.16, 95% CI =0.79-1.71, P=0.442). Meanwhile, the meta-analysis demonstrated that MWA was associated with shorter operation time (standardized mean difference [SMD] =-1.37, 95% CI =-1.92 to -0.81, P=0.000), less amount of blood loss in operation (SWD =-1.19, 95% CI =-1.76 to -0.61, P=0.000), and less complications (OR =0.22, 95% CI =0.12-0.40, P=0.000) than HRN.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, our meta-analysis suggests that MWA may be superior to HRN as it is as effective as HRN in terms of overall survival, disease-free survival, tumor recurrence, and is associated with shorter operation time, less amount of blood loss, and fewer complications.
