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Updated: Jan 11, 2026
Application of Laparoscopic Hepatectomy Combined with Intraoperative Microwave Ablation in Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastasis
Published on: March 3, 2023
Pulsed microwave ablation reduces complications in hepatocellular carcinoma located in high-risk areas: a
Zeyang Dong1, Mengyao Zhao1, Jie Chen1
1The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China.
Background:
Ultrasound-guided microwave ablation (MWA) is widely used for small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but treating tumors in high-risk sites requires minimizing damage to surrounding tissues. This study introduced a pulsed microwave ablation (PMA) technique and compared it with continuous microwave ablation (C-MWA) to assess its efficacy and safety in managing HCC in high risk locations.
Methods:
A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with HCC in high-risk locations treated at our institution between November 2019 and November 2022. Patients treated before January 2021 (n = 24 lesions) underwent C-MWA (control group), while those treated after January 2021 (n = 19 lesions) received PMA (study group). Baseline characteristics, laboratory tests, imaging, and follow-up data were analyzed.
Results:
Baseline data were comparable between groups. Postoperative increases in ALT, AST, and total bilirubin were significantly lower in the study group. The incidence of adverse events was 36.8% in the study group and 70.8% in the control group (p = 0.026). Surgical approach (p = 0.028, OR = 8.571) and tumor diameter (p = 0.003, OR = 26.703) were independent risk factors for adverse events. During two-year follow-up, five recurrences occurred in the control group and none in the study group (LogRank p = 0.037). Tumor diameter (p = 0.047, OR = 77.28) and history of cirrhosis (p = 0.041, OR = 0.008) were independent predictors of recurrence.
Conclusions:
PMA reduced complications compared to C-MWA, showing potential as a safer and effective option for HCC in high-risk locations. Further validation in larger studies is warranted.
