Laparoscopy-assisted and gallbladder-preserved one-off radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma adjoining gallbladder

Objective 　To evaluate the feasibility and safety of laparoscopy-assisted one-off complete radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) adjoining gallbladder. Methods 　Five cases of HCC adjacent to different location of gallbladder were involved in present study. The tumor diameter ranged from 2.5 to 4.2cm. Laparoscopy-assisted radiofrequency ablation was performed without isolation or resection of gallbladder so as to maintain its anatomical integrity. The patients were followed up with the aid of ultrasonography and computed tomography postoperatively, at the same time the surviving quality was assessed. Results 　Three days after the operation, ultrasound examination showed that the gallbladder wall close to the ablated area was increased by 0.3-0.4cm, and the CT images showed that the density of gallbladder wall was increased. Six months after the operation, the contrast enhanced CT images showed that the gallbladder was intact and no high density area was observed in every patient, implying that the tumor was one-off ablated completely. All the patients lived a life with good quality during the follow-up period of 18-36 months. Conclusion 　Laparoscopy-assisted one stage radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma adjoining gallbladder with maintenance of the anatomical integrity of gallbladder is technically safe and feasible.