[Colorectal resection combined with simultaneous radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of synchronous colorectal liver metastases: a retrospective analysis].

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of colorectal resection combined with simultaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of synchronous colorectal liver metastases(SCRLM). Methods: This retrospective study involved the patients admitted between January 1st 2010 and September 1st 2013. A total of 20 patients who underwent colorectal resection combined with simultaneous RFA of SCRLM were enrolled. Those patients (RFA group) were matched with 20 patients (Resection group) who underwent simultaneous resections of colorectal cancer and SCRLM based on the propensity scores. Perioperative parameters and survival outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results: The RFA and Resection groups were comparable in demographics, cancer characteristics and chemotherapy treatment (all P>0.05). The estimated blood loss and intraoperative blood transfusions in the RFA group were significantly lower than those in the resection group [150.00(100.00-200.00) vs 200.00(112.50-650.00), 1 vs 7, all P>0.05]. The postoperative stay in the RFA group was significantly shorter than that in laparoscopic group [8.50(8.00-10.75) vs 11.00(8.25-14.25), P=0.043]. There was no significant difference in postoperative complications (P>0.05). The 3-year disease free survival rate was 14.00% in the RFA group, and 31.20% in the Resection group (P=0.047). However, the 3-year overall rates were similar between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusions: Compared with simultaneous resections of colorectal cancer and SCRLM resections, colorectal resection combined with simultaneous RFA of SCRLM was associated with less surgical blood loss and shorter hospitalization. Although inferior to simultaneous resections of colorectal cancer and SCRLM resections in survival outcomes, this approach extends the capability of delivering potentially curative treatment for colorectal cancer patients with unresectable SCRLM.