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Updated: Jan 17, 2026
Application of Laparoscopic Hepatectomy Combined with Intraoperative Microwave Ablation in Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastasis
Published on: March 3, 2023
Liver resection versus radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma: A systemic review and meta-analysis
Zheng He1, Guolang Song1, Guangchao Yang1
1Department of General Surgery, Shenzhen Baoan Shiyan People's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
Background:
Liver resection and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) are two common treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, their efficacy and safety remain unclear. We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the effectiveness and safety of these two treatments.
Methods:
We searched multiple databases to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared liver resection with RFA for the treatment of HCC. The primary outcome was 5-year overall survival rate. The secondary endpoint was the incidence of complications. We used RevMan 5.4 software to calculate the pooled effects and 95% confidence interval (CI).
Results:
Ten RCTs and 35 cohort studies were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled OR for 5-year overall survival rate favored liver resection (OR = 1.76, 95% CI = 1.19-2.61, P<0.00001). RFA was indicated with less postoperative complications (OR = 3.35, 95% CI = 2.52-4.45, P<0.00001).
Conclusion:
This meta-analysis suggests that liver resection is more effective than RFA in treating HCC with regard to higher 5-year overall survival rate, while the safety of liver resection was concerning. We recommend liver resection as a first-line treatment for HCC, but RFA may be a preferable choice for patients who are not suitable for surgical procedures. More high-quality RCTs are needed to confirm these findings.
Systematic Review Registration:
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42025458621.
