We compared the efficacy and safety of a hepatectomy, combined with intraoperative radiofrequency ablation to those of wider extent hepatectomy, alone, in patients with multiple hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs).

Between January 2004 and December 2013, 78 patients with multiple HCCs underwent surgery. 25 patients were treated by hepatectomy, combined with intraoperative radiofrequency ablation (RFA) (group A), and 53 underwent hepatectomy only (group B). We retrospectively analyzed medical records to compare the clinical features of these two groups.

Patients in group A had more limited resections (less than 2 segments) than those in group B ( p <0.001). Patients in group A also tended to have fewer red blood cell transfusions than those in group B ( p =0.060). Liver function- and surgery-related complications occurred only in group B. There were no in-hospital mortalities in both groups. The overall survival and disease-free survival outcomes were not significantly different between groups A and B ( p =0.177 and p =0.305, respectively).

Hepatectomy combined with intraoperative RFA could be a safe and effective treatment option for patients with multiple HCCs, comparable to extended hepatectomy alone.