LAPAROSCOPIC ABLATION THERAPY FOR HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA.

Laparoscopic ablation therapy is an attractive modality for localized hepatocellular carcinoma. It is an optimal treatment in patients with superficial tumors, tumors adjacent to other vital organs, or tumors difficult to access by percutaneous procedure. Laparoscopic access allows for easier detection and more accurate targeting of the tumor compared with percutaneous access and can minimize complications. In addition, this novel technique is favorable in terms of the length of hospital stay and cost-effectiveness because it is completed in a single session. Characteristics and therapeutic potential of laparoscopic ablation therapy are summarized and compared with other therapeutic modalities in this review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]