title: Comparison of laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation versus open resection in the treatment of symptomatic-enlarging hepatic hemangiomas: a prospective study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been demonstrated to be a promising therapy for symptomatic large hepatic hemangioma. However, there is a lack of studies to demonstrate the benefits and disadvantages of RFA as compared with surgical resection for managing hepatic hemangioma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of RFA compared with conventional open resection (ORES) for the treatment of symptomatic-enlarging hepatic hemangiomas.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 66 patients with symptomatic-enlarging hepatic hemangiomas (4 cm ≤ diameter < 10 cm) who required surgical treatment were divided into two groups: 32 patients underwent laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation (LRFA) and the other 34 patients underwent ORES. We compared the two groups in terms of radiologic response, clinical response, operative time, estimated blood loss, postoperative pain score and analgesic requirement, length of hospital stay, postoperative complications and hospital cost.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The radiologic and clinical responses were comparable between groups. LRFA had significantly shorter operative time (138 vs. 201 min, P < 0.001) and less blood loss (P < 0.001) than ORES. Patients after LRFA experienced significantly less pain and required less analgesia use. Moreover, patients underwent LRFA had significantly shorter length of hospital stay (P < 0.001) and lower hospital cost (P = 0.017). No severe morbidities or mortality was observed, and the overall morbidity rate was similar between groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As a new minimal invasive treatment option, laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation is as safe and effective a procedure as open resection for patients with symptomatic-enlarging hepatic hemangiomas smaller than 10 cm.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatic Surgery, Liver Transplantation Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China.|Department of Regenerative Medicine Research Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China.
authors.forename: Xiaowu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatic Surgery, Liver Transplantation Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China.
authors.forename: Lunan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatic Surgery, Liver Transplantation Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China.
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatic Surgery, Liver Transplantation Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China.
authors.forename: Tianfu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatic Surgery, Liver Transplantation Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China.
authors.forename: Wentao
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatic Surgery, Liver Transplantation Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China.
authors.forename: Mingqing
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatic Surgery, Liver Transplantation Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China.
authors.forename: Yonggang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatic Surgery, Liver Transplantation Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China. yangjiayin128@163.com.
authors.forename: Jiayin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000601:surgery*; D006498:Hepatectomy / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D017721:Hospital Costs; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061646:Operative Time; D059408:Pain Management; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Hepatectomy; Hepatic hemangioma; Laparoscopy; Radiofrequency ablation