[Cryohepatectomy for liver cancer: preliminary evaluation of reducing postoperative recurrence]

To determine whether cryohepatectomy is potentially beneficial in reducing the recurrence and prolonging survival for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).The study included 84 patients who underwent cryohepatectomy, cryosurgery with liquid nitrogen (-196 degrees C) followed by the resection of the frozen tumor by conventional technique, for HCC and were closely follow-up after surgery. Recurrence and survival rates were calculated by the life-table method.The postoperative course of cryohepatectomy in all of the 84 patients was uneventful, there being no operative mortality or severe complications. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates after cryohepatectomy were 98.7%, 83.9% and 64.0%, respectively. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year recurrence rates after cryohepatectomy were 15.1%, 30.1% and 39.0%, respectively.Cryohepatectomy for HCC is a safe procedure and may be potentially beneficial in reducing recurrence and prolonging survival. More time is needed to further define whether this procedure will improve long-term survival as compared with conventional resection.