LAPAROSCOPIC MICROWAVE COAGULONECROTIC THERAPY FOR HEPATOCELLULAR-CARCINOMA

The present study reports on the usefulness of laparoscopic microwave coagulonecrotic therapy as a new option in the treatment of hepatocell ular carcinoma. Five patients with liver tumors associated with cirrho sis were treated from July 1993 to March 1994 with a microwave electro de (output 100 W, 3 to 4 cm long) devised for laparoscopic use. The tu mors, all with diameters less than 3 cm and superficially located, wer e coagulated for a total radiation period of 20 to 30 min under laparo scopic, intraoperative ultrasonographic control. Postoperative complic ations were negligible, and laboratory values (glutamate-pyruvate tran saminase, bilirubin, prothrombin time, platelet count) returned to pre operative levels within 7 days. Complete necrosis, including the surro unding liver tissue, was confirmed by a follow-up dynamic computed tom ography scan during the follow-up period of 6 to 17 months (mean, 13 m onths). Laparoscopic microwave coagulonecrotic therapy can exert an ef fect on tumor equivalent to that obtained from a wedge resection but i s noninvasive and may represent a new option for unresectable liver ca ncers.