Long-term outcome of laparoscopic ablation therapies for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: a single European center experience of 426 patients

Background Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is widely used as a first-line option in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, since percutaneous approach of RFA may be, in some cases, unfeasible by the tumor size and its location, laparoscopic ablation therapies (LATs) were used as an alternative. Objective of the present study was to assess the efficacy of laparoscopic ultrasound examination in addition to LATs in the treatment of HCC in patients not eligible for percutaneous RFA or surgical resection.