Laparoscopic Radiofrequency Ablation For Colo-Rectal Liver Metastasis – Preliminary Experience

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a viable therapeutic alternative, wide accepted, for local tumor control of colorectal metastases, surgical resection remain the standard treatment for complete control of these diseases. Laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation (LRFA) represent a therapeutic option for liver metastasis, in selecting cases, preventing the hemorrhagic complications or difficult localization by percutaneous approach. Between December 2008 and March 2015, 136 patients with liver metastatis underwent RFA, 122 procedures performed via open surgery and 14 procedures by laparoscopic approach. Inclusion criterias for LRFA were: superficial lesions in contact with liver surface and tumour size no more 2 cm in greatest dimension. All patients underwent concomitant laparoscopic liver biopsy, 1 patient a left laparoscopic colectomy, 1 patient a laparoscopic rectal abdomino-perineal resection and 2 patients a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the perioperative complications, recurrence rate and long distant evolution.Initial experience shows that LRFA is a safe procedure for treatment of liver metastasis, in selecting cases, with low rate of morbidity and local recurrence, for patients with lesions that are not indicated to percutaneous RFA or liver resection.